Hypertension is a common and dangerous cardiovascular disease. Simply put, it is a disease related to high blood pressure. If treatment is not started on time, it will lead to serious consequences, such as stroke, heart attack, loss of working capacity, disability and ultimately death is not excluded. . That is why it is important to know the symptoms that accompany the disease, so that you can 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 a diagnosis and, accordingly, prescribes treatment.
The onset of the disease can be detected by at least three control indicators of blood pressure measurement. If you notice your blood pressure "jumping" throughout the day, that’s no reason to panic. Changes in the body may occur as a result of a change in profession, for example, vigorous activity and heavy sleep or sports and office work. In this case, the indicators of normal well-being will be the numbers on the display of the pressure measuring device from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure constantly or quite often stays at 140, it's a sign that you need to see a doctor.
Why does hypertension appear?
Pressure increases in response 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 from overwork, he often experiences such stress on the functioning of his organs. This leads to a direct harmful threat to health.
Regular lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and nervous illnesses can lead to hypertension. Additionally, doctors list the causes of the disease as follows:
- overweight problems;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- heredity.
Who is on the front 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 the result. There is a physiological explanation for this. The vessels are compressed during these diseases and the pressure increases accordingly.
The influence of hormones is an important factor in the development of hypertension. This is why it often occurs in women during menopause.
Signs of hypertension occur in people who face constant stress at work and in life. Heavy smokers and people with diabetes are at risk.
Symptoms appear most often in people over 50 years old. 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 that 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 above all to learn about the symptoms of hypertension and to be able to recognize the disease in time.
Insidious symptoms of hypertension
Unfortunately, the disease often begins to manifest itself in a hidden way. Symptoms are usually not noticeable at first. To be more precise, they exist, but people most often do not pay attention to them, attributing ailments to fatigue and routine. Signs of hypertension include frequent headaches. They are not linked 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 on your temples. Patients often describe the pain as "like having bricks placed in the back of the head. "It intensifies when you bend over or make sudden movements.
Additionally, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and mist before the eyes;
- disturbance of consciousness;
- lethargy and apathy;
- noise in the ears.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should start measuring your blood pressure. Its consistently high scale is a reason to sound the alarm and contact specialists.
These are just the first 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 the hands;
- memory problems or partial loss.
Stages of hypertension: when to sound the alarm?
The disease has several boundaries. The first stage is a pressure fluctuation 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 permanently get rid of this disease.
The second stage is characterized by an upper pressure limit of around 180 and a lower limit of 110. Its symptoms include head 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 ongoing irreversible processes in the body. Due to the heavy load on the ships, the pressure rises to between 180 and 110. The worst thing in this case is the consequences. Without immediate treatment for hypertension, the risk to life is high.
At all stages of development, the patient can be overtaken by a hypertensive crisis. This leads to an exacerbation of all symptoms of the disease. In this case, the lower pressure becomes high. Signs include nausea and vomiting.
Treatment of hypertension: in hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined only by the doctor. What to remember first:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp drop can put you at risk of 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 treatment alone;
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking the medication. It is necessary to follow the treatment prescribed by the doctor;
- You should not adjust the treatment yourself: increase or decrease the dose of the drug;
- You shouldn't wait for a fleeting cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop overnight and does not disappear overnight.