Every person with this diagnosis needs to know how blood pressure changes with hypertension. More and more people are suffering from this disease. The disease is getting younger, so everyone needs to understand the principles of life with hypertension: both patients and members of their families. What kind of pressure is life-threatening, how to behave during an attack, do heredity and lifestyle influence the development of the disease? Answering these questions will help prevent many unnecessary problems.
Pressure indicators for hypertension
The main cause of hypertension is the narrowing of the lumen of the walls of blood vessels due to their spasm. This process occurs for a number of reasons: heredity, bad habits, stress, sedentary lifestyle. The main method for diagnosing hypertension is measuring blood pressure. Since childhood, everyone has been familiar with the numbers "120 to 80. "They have their own name and meaning. The first number is an indicator during the work of the heart muscle, called systolic blood pressure (SBP). The second indicator evaluates blood pressure between heartbeats, called diastolic blood pressure.
Symptoms of increased blood pressure are palpitations, nausea, throbbing pain in the back of the head, dizziness, increased sweating, pain in the heart area, insomnia.
Doctors have derived a direct relationship between blood pressure indicators and the degree of the patient’s disease:
- Less than 120/80 are optimal numbers;
- 120–129/80–84 - normal pressure. A diagnosis is made: prehypertension;
- 130–139/85–89—high-normal blood pressure. For hypertension;
- greater than or equal to 140/below 90 – ISAH is diagnosed;
- 140–159/90–99—grade 1 hypertension;
- 160–179/100–109 —2nd degree;
- 3rd degree - more than 180/110.
The initial stages of the disease are usually asymptomatic. The first signs of the disease appear easily, and a person simply does not notice them, gradually getting used to the symptoms. Hypertension continues to progress, changing blood vessels and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack, stroke or kidney problems. If hypertension is a common diagnosis in the family, it is necessary to periodically monitor blood pressure parameters to stop the disease in its infancy.
How is diagnosis done?
| Research stages | What is being examined? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure measurement | Measurements of indicators every 15–30 minutes for several days. | - |
| Anamnesis | Detailed analysis of complaints and symptoms. | - |
| Physical examination | Measurement of temperature and blood pressure, palpation of the thyroid gland, examination of the skin. The condition of the arteries close to the surface is assessed. | Symptoms of a long-term disease: an increase in the size of the heart, the presence of characteristic noises when listening with a phonendoscope, blurred vision, spots, swelling of the legs. |
| Instrumental methods | Blood and urine for general analysis | - |
| Blood biochemistry | Control sugar, uric acid, K, Na, cholesterol. | |
| ECG | Angina is detected. | |
| Fundus examination | Symptoms: narrowing of arteries, microhemorrhages, dilation of veins. | |
| Ultrasound of the heart | By appointment. | |
| Chest X-ray | The boundaries of the heart muscle are revealed |
What pressure is already dangerous?
Blood pressure indicators that are dangerous for humans are above 140/90. Depending on the numbers on the tonometer and the degree of changes, the patient’s condition is stabilized in various ways. Stage 1, when functional changes occur, is characterized by insomnia, fatigue, and headaches. The attacks are short-lived and unstable. After taking sedatives in combination with rest, blood pressure drops. At the 2nd stage, organic changes appear. To stop the attack, antihypertensive medications are prescribed. Crises are possible. Kidney function is impaired and vision decreases. The attacks are persistent and long lasting. At the third stage, indicators are never normal. Organic changes in internal organs and blood vessels can cause stroke, blindness, heart attack, and heart failure.
What to do if you have high blood pressure?
How to stabilize blood pressure during an attack:
- Call an ambulance.
- Place a tablet under your tongue to speed up the absorption of the drug.
- Breathe evenly and try not to get nervous.
- To expand peripheral vessels, you can put mustard plasters on your legs.
As a result, the load on the main vessels is reduced and a feeling of relief appears. The attack should pass gradually, over 2–4 hours, since a sharp jump in "hypertension - low blood pressure" has negative consequences, especially if the patient is elderly. Increased blood pressure can cause panic attacks. Hypertensive patients often experience high blood pressure. Tablets help relieve an attack - you need to stop being nervous and follow the doctor’s instructions. It is recommended to keep a sheet of paper with the order of actions during an attack in a visible place in order to do everything correctly. This helps to cope with panic and lower blood pressure on your own.
To prevent a crisis, you need to follow your doctor's recommendations.
Prevention
| General recommendations |
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