Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease, common and dangerous. In simple words, it is a disease of high blood pressure. If treatment is not started on time, it will lead to serious consequences such as stroke, heart attack, loss of working capacity, disability and ultimately death is not excluded. That is why it is important to know what symptoms accompany the disease, to be able to recognize them in time and to stop the disease in the first stages.
The invisible enemy or what is hypertension?
Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure. The disease has another synonymous name - arterial hypertension. Here you need to understand that only a qualified specialist diagnoses and, as a result, prescribes the course of treatment.
The onset of the disease can be established by at least three control indicators for measuring blood pressure. If you notice that your blood pressure "jumps" throughout the day, this is not a cause for panic. Changes in the body can occur as a result of a change in occupation, for example, vigorous activity and sleep or sports and office work. In this case, indicators of normal well-being will be the numbers on the display of the pressure measuring device from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure stays at 140 consistently or quite often, it's a sign to see a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
Pressure rises as a reaction to processes occurring inside and outside the body. These are stress, uncomfortable environment, increased level of danger. In these cases, a protective reaction is triggered in the body. The blood begins to release adrenaline and as a result the heart rate increases. Which leads to vasoconstriction and muscle contraction. In combination, the body's reaction affects the increase in blood pressure. Since a person is not immune from overstrain, he often experiences such stress on the functioning of his organs. This leads to a direct threat that is harmful to health.
Regular lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and nervous diseases can lead to hypertension. In addition, doctors list the causes of the disease as:
- overweight problems;
- thyroid problems;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- heredity.
Who's first in line?
Hypertension mainly affects those who have relatives with this disease in their family.
In addition, symptoms can be observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and in people who are overweight.
If you suffer from osteochondrosis or atherosclerosis, hypertension can be a consequence. There is a physiological explanation for this. During these diseases, the vessels are compressed and the pressure rises accordingly.
An important factor in the development of hypertension is the influence of hormones. This is why it is common in women during menopause.
Signs of hypertension appear in people who experience constant stress at work and in life. Heavy smokers and people with diabetes are at risk.
Most often, symptoms appear in people over 50 years of age. In addition, according to statistics, men are more susceptible to this disease.
However, it is important to understand that, in general, hypertension does not spare anyone and the boundaries are arbitrary. The younger generation often suffers from high blood pressure.
Why is hypertension dangerous?
The consequences of hypertension are dangerous for the whole organism. This leads to:
- loss of vision;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- blow;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is the reason, first of all, to learn about the symptoms of hypertension and to be able to recognize the disease in time.
Insidious symptoms of hypertension
Unfortunately, the disease often begins to manifest itself incognito. Symptoms are usually not noticeable in the initial stages. More precisely, they exist, but people most often do not pay attention to them, attributing ailments to fatigue and routine. Signs of hypertension include frequent headaches. They are not related to changes in weather or time of day. They appear unexpectedly at night or immediately after waking up and appear in the middle of the day. They look like a "hoop" pressing on your temples. Patients often describe the pain as feeling "like bricks are placed on the back of your head. "It is aggravated by bending over or sudden movements.
In addition, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: blurriness and fog before the eyes;
- clouding of consciousness;
- lethargy and apathy;
- noise in the ears.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should start measuring your blood pressure. Its constant high scale is a reason to sound the alarm and contact specialists.
These are only the first signs of the first stage of hypertension.
It is also characterized by:
- increased sweating;
- redness and puffiness of the face;
- swelling in the morning;
- swelling of the hands;
- memory impairment or partial loss.
Stages of hypertension: when to sound the alarm?
The disease has several limits. The first stage is a pressure fluctuation in the range up to 160 - the upper limit and 100 - the lower limit. If the disease is recognized in time and competent treatment is prescribed, then you can not only stop the hypertensive crisis, but also get rid of this disease forever.
The second stage is characterized by an upper limit of pressure around 180 and a lower limit of 110. Its symptoms include pain in the head and heart, dizziness. The organs of vision are also affected. In this case, complex treatment, changes in lifestyle and daily routine are necessary.
The third stage of hypertension is characterized by irreversible processes occurring in the body. Due to the heavy load on the vessels, the pressure rises to 180 to 110. The worst in this case are the consequences. Without immediate treatment of hypertension there is a high risk to life.
At all stages of development, the patient can be overtaken by a hypertensive crisis. This leads to an exacerbation of all the symptoms of the disease. In this case, the lower pressure becomes high. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Treatment of hypertension: in hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined only by the doctor. What to remember first:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp drop can put you at risk for a heart attack;
- How to normalize the condition is explained only by a qualified specialist in each case individually. There is no point in treating yourself;
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking the medication. It is necessary to complete the course prescribed by the doctor;
- You should not adjust the treatment yourself: increase or decrease the dose of the drug;
- You should not wait for a fleeting cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in a day and does not disappear overnight.