Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease, common and dangerous. Simply put, it is a high blood pressure disease. If treatment is not started on time, it will lead to serious consequences such as stroke, heart attack, loss of working capacity, disability, and eventually death. 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.
What is the invisible enemy or 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 makes a diagnosis and, as a result, prescribes a course of treatment.
The onset of the disease can be detected by at least three control indicators of blood pressure measurement. If you notice that your blood pressure "jumps" during the day, this is not a 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.
If your blood pressure stays at 140 constantly or quite often, this is a sign to see a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
Pressure rises in response to processes occurring inside and outside the body. These are stress, uncomfortable environment, increased level of danger. In these cases, a protective reaction occurs in the body. The blood begins to release adrenaline, and as a result, the heart rate increases. Which causes vasoconstriction and muscle contraction. In combination, the body's reaction affects the increase in blood pressure. Since a person is not immune to excessive stress, he often experiences such stress in the work of his organs. This leads to direct danger which is harmful to health.
Constant lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and nervous diseases can cause hypertension. In addition, doctors list the causes of the disease:
- problems with excess weight;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- heredity.
Who is in first place?
Hypertension primarily affects those with a family history of the disease.
In addition, symptoms can be observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and people who are overweight.
If you suffer from osteochondrosis or atherosclerosis, this can result in hypertension. 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 effect of hormones. Therefore, it often occurs during menopause in women.
Symptoms of hypertension occur in people who experience constant stress at work and in life. At risk are heavy smokers and people with diabetes.
Symptoms are most common in people over the age of 50. Moreover, according to statistics, men are more susceptible to this disease.
However, it should be understood 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 body. This leads to:
- vision loss;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is a reason to learn the signs of hypertension first and to be able to recognize the disease in time.
Insidious symptoms of hypertension
Unfortunately, the disease often starts secretly. Symptoms are usually not noticeable in the early stages. More precisely, they exist, but people often do not pay attention to them, they associate diseases with fatigue and everyday tasks. Symptoms of hypertension often include headaches. They are not related to the weather or the time of day. They appear unexpectedly at night or immediately after waking up and occur in the middle of the day. They look like "rings" that press against your temples. Patients often describe the pain as feeling like "a brick has been placed in the back of the head. "It is aggravated when bending or making sudden movements.
In addition, symptoms include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: mist and fog before the eyes;
- blurring 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 magnitude is a reason to sound the alarm and contact specialists.
These are only the initial symptoms of the first stage of hypertension.
It is also characterized by:
- increased sweating;
- redness and swelling of the face;
- morning swelling;
- swelling of the hands;
- memory impairment or partial loss.
Stages of hypertension: when should the alarm be given?
The disease has several boundaries. The first stage is a pressure fluctuation up to 160 - the upper limit and up to 100 - the lower limit. If the disease is recognized in time and competent treatment is prescribed, then not only can you stop the hypertensive crisis, but you can 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 area, 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 in the body. Due to the heavy cargo in the ships, the pressure rises from 180 to 110. In this case, the worst thing is the consequences. If there is no immediate treatment for hypertension, there is a high risk to life.
At all stages of development, the patient may experience a hypertensive crisis. It leads to exacerbation of all symptoms of the disease. In this case, the low pressure becomes high. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Treatment of hypertension: in the hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined only by the doctor. First you need to remember:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp drop can put you at risk of a heart attack;
- How to normalize the situation is explained in each individual case only by a qualified specialist. There is no point in treating it yourself;
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking the medicine. 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 quick treatment. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in a day and does not go away overnight.