Hypertension is a common and dangerous cardiovascular disease. In simple terms, it is a high blood pressure disease. If treatment is not started in time, this will lead to serious consequences, such as stroke, heart attack, loss of ability to work, disability, and ultimately death is not excluded. That is why it is important to know what symptoms accompany the disease, in order to recognize them in time and stop the disease in the early stages.
The invisible enemy, or what is hypertension?
Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure. The disease has another synonymous name: high blood pressure. Here you need to understand that only a qualified specialist makes the diagnosis and, as a result, prescribes the course of treatment.
The onset of the disease can be detected by at least three monitoring indicators of blood pressure measurement. If you notice that your blood pressure "jumps" throughout the day, this is no reason to 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, the indicators of normal well-being will be the numbers on the screen of the device for measuring pressure from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure stays at 140 constantly or quite frequently, this is a sign that you should see a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
Pressure increases in reaction to processes occurring inside and outside the body. These are stress, an uncomfortable environment, an 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 to overexertion, 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, and mental and nervous illnesses can cause hypertension. Additionally, doctors list the causes of the disease as:
- excess weight problems;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- inheritance.
Who is the first in line?
Hypertension mainly affects those who have relatives with this disease in their family.
Additionally, 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 may be a consequence. There is a physiological explanation for this. In these diseases the vessels are compressed and the pressure increases accordingly.
An important factor in the development of hypertension is the influence of hormones. That is why it usually occurs in women during menopause.
Signs of hypertension occur in people who experience constant stress at work and in life. Heavy smokers and people with diabetes are at risk.
Symptoms appear more frequently in people over 50 years of age. Also, 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 limits are arbitrary. The younger generation often suffers from high blood pressure.
Why is hypertension dangerous?
The consequences of hypertension are dangerous for the entire body. That leads to:
- vision loss;
- nephropathy;
- metabolic syndrome;
- myocardial infarction;
- stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is a reason, first of all, to know the symptoms of hypertension and be able to recognize the disease in time.
Insidious symptoms of hypertension.
Unfortunately, the disease often begins to manifest itself in a hidden form. Symptoms are usually not noticed in the initial stages. To be more precise, they exist, but most often people 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 occur in the middle of the day. They look like a "hoop" that presses on the temples. Patients often describe the pain as feeling "like bricks have been placed on the back of their head. "It intensifies when bending over or making sudden movements.
Additionally, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and haze before the eyes;
- cloudiness 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 reason to sound the alarm and contact specialists.
These are just the initial signs of the first stage of hypertension.
It is also characterized by:
- increased sweating;
- facial redness and swelling;
- 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 within the range of up to 160 (the upper limit) and 100 (the lower limit). If the disease is recognized in time and competent treatment is prescribed, it will not only be possible to stop the hypertensive crisis, but also to get rid of this disease forever.
The second stage is characterized by an upper pressure limit of around 180 and a lower limit of 110. Its symptoms include headache and heart pain and dizziness. The organs of vision are also affected. In this case, complex treatment, changes in lifestyle and daily routine are required.
The third stage of hypertension is indicated by irreversible processes occurring in the body. Due to the large load on the containers, the pressure increases from 180 to 110. The worst thing in this case is the consequences. Without immediate treatment for hypertension, there is a high risk to life.
At all stages of development, the patient can be affected by a hypertensive crisis. It leads to an exacerbation of all symptoms of the disease. In this case, the lowest pressure becomes high. Signs include nausea and vomiting.
Hypertension treatment: in the hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined solely by the doctor. What you should remember first:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp decrease 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 carrying out the treatment yourself;
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking the medications. 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 expect a fleeting cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in a day and does not disappear overnight.