Hypertension is a common and dangerous cardiovascular disease. In simple terms, it is a disease of hypertension. 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, ultimately, death is not excluded. That's why it's important to know what symptoms accompany the disease, to be able to recognize them in time and stop the disease in its early 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 must understand that only a qualified specialist makes a diagnosis and, as a result, prescribes 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 is "jumping" throughout 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 display of the device for measuring pressure from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure remains at 140 constantly or quite frequently, this is a sign to see a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
Pressure increases as a reaction to processes occurring inside and outside the body. These are stress, an uncomfortable environment and 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 from overexertion, he often experiences this 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 illnesses can lead to hypertension. Also, doctors list the causes of the disease as:
- problems with being overweight;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- heredity.
Who is first in line?
Hypertension mainly affects those who have relatives with this disease in the family.
Also, symptoms can be observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and in people who are overweight.
If you suffer from osteochondrosis or atherosclerosis, high blood pressure may be a consequence. There is a physiological explanation for this. The vessels are compressed during these diseases and the pressure increases accordingly.
An important factor in the development of hypertension is the influence of hormones. This 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 people with diabetes.
Symptoms appear more frequently 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 limits are arbitrary. The younger generation often suffers from hypertension.
Why is hypertension dangerous?
The consequences of hypertension are dangerous for the entire body. This leads to:
- loss of vision;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- 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 occur in a hidden form. Symptoms are usually not noticeable in the early stages. To be more precise, they exist, but most of the time people don't pay attention to them, attributing the ailments to tiredness and routine. Signs of high blood pressure 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 feel like a "hoop" pressing against your temples. Patients often describe the pain as "like bricks being placed in the back of the head. "It intensifies when bending over or making sudden movements.
Additionally, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: cloudiness 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 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 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, you can not only stop the hypertensive crisis, but also get rid of it 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 heavy load on the vessels, the pressure rises to 180 to 110. The worst thing in this case are the consequences. Without immediate treatment for hypertension, there is a high risk to life.
At all stages of development, the patient may be affected by a hypertensive crisis. This 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 for the disease is determined only by the doctor. What you need to remember first:
- Pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp decline 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 doing the treatment alone;
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking your 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 medicine;
- You should not hope for a temporary cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in a day and does not disappear overnight.