Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease, common and dangerous. Simply put, it is a disease of high blood pressure. If treatment is not started on time, this will lead to serious consequences, such as stroke, heart attack, loss of ability to work, disability, and finally death is not excluded. That is why it is important to know what symptoms accompany this disease, to be able to recognize it in time and stop the disease at the first stage.
The invisible enemy, or what is hypertension?
Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure. This disease has another synonymous name - arterial hypertension. Here you should 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" throughout the day, this is not a reason to panic. Changes in the body can occur as a result of changes in occupation, for example, vigorous activity and sleep or sports and office work. In this case, the indicator of normal well-being will be the number on the display of the device for measuring pressure from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure remains at 140 continuously or quite often, this is a sign to see a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
Pressure increases in response to processes occurring inside and outside the body. This is stress, an uncomfortable environment, an increased level of danger. In this case, 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 response affects the increase in blood pressure. Since a person is not immune from too much energy, he often experiences such pressure on the functioning of his organs. This leads to a direct threat that is dangerous to health.
Frequent lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and nervous diseases can cause hypertension. In addition, doctors list the causes of the disease as:
- problems with excess weight;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- descent
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 have osteochondrosis or atherosclerosis, hypertension may be the result. There is a physiological explanation for this. Vessels are compressed during this disease, and the pressure increases accordingly.
An important factor in the development of hypertension is the influence of hormones. That is why it often occurs in women during menopause.
Signs of hypertension occur in people who experience constant stress at work and in life. At risk are heavy smokers and diabetics.
Symptoms most often appear in people over the age of 50. Moreover, 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 its 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. It leads to:
- loss of vision;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is the reason, first of all, to know about the symptoms of hypertension and be able to recognize the disease in time.
Dangerous symptoms of hypertension
Unfortunately, this disease often begins to occur hidden. Symptoms are usually not noticeable in the early stages. To be more precise, they exist, but people most often do not pay attention to them, associating the disease with fatigue and routine. Symptoms of hypertension include frequent headaches. It has nothing to do with weather changes or the time of day. They appear unexpectedly at night or immediately after waking up, and occur in the middle of the day. It looks like a "loop" that presses against your temple. Patients often describe the pain as feeling "like a brick is placed on the back of the head. "It gets worse when bending over or making sudden movements.
In addition, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and haze in front of 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. A persistently high scale is a reason to sound the alarm and call a specialist.
These are just the early signs of the first stage of hypertension.
It is also characterized by:
- increased sweating;
- redness and swelling of the face;
- swelling in the morning;
- swelling of hands;
- memory impairment or partial loss.
Stages of hypertension: when to sound the alarm?
This disease has several boundaries. The first stage is pressure fluctuations in the range up to 160 - the upper limit and 100 - the lower limit. If the disease is recognized in time and efficient 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 pressure limit of around 180, and a lower limit of 110. Symptoms include pain in the head and heart, 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 an irreversible process that goes on in the body. Due to the heavy load on board, the pressure rises to 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, patients can be overcome by a hypertensive crisis. It leads to the worsening of all the symptoms of the disease. In this case, the lower 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. Things you need to remember first:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sudden drop can put you at risk of a heart attack;
- How to normalize the situation is explained only by qualified specialists in each case individually. There is no point in doing the treatment yourself;
- If you feel an 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 medicine;
- You shouldn't wait for instant healing. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in one day and does not disappear overnight.