High blood pressure is a cardiovascular disease, common and dangerous. Simply put, it is a disease of high blood pressure. If treatment is not started in time, it can lead to serious consequences, such as stroke, heart attack, loss of ability to work, disability, and ultimately death. That is why it is important to know what symptoms accompany the disease, to recognize them in time and to stop the disease in the first stages.
The invisible enemy, or what is high blood pressure?
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 treatment.
The onset of the disease can be detected with 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 may occur due to changes in occupation, for example, vigorous activity and sleep or sports and office work. In this case, the normalindicators of well-being are numbers between 100 and 60 and 140 and 90 on the display of the device for measuring pressure.
If your blood pressure stays at 140 all the time or quite often, this is a sign that you need to see a doctor.
Why does high blood pressure occur?
Pressure rises as a reaction to processes inside and outside the body. These are stress, an uncomfortable environment, and increased danger. In these cases, a protective reaction is initiated 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 man is not immune to overexertion, he often experiences such stress in the functioning of his organs. This leads to immediate danger which is harmful to health.
Regular lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and nervous system diseases can lead to high blood pressure. In addition, doctors list the causes of the disease:
- problems related to excess weight;
- thyroid problems;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- heredity.
Who's first in line?
Hypertension mainly affects those who have relatives with this disease.
In addition, symptoms can be seen in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and who are overweight.
If you suffer from osteochondrosis or arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure may be the result. 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 high blood pressure is the effect of hormones. Therefore, it often occurs in women during menopause.
Signs of high blood pressure appear in people who experience constant stress at work and in life. Heavy smokers and diabetics are at risk.
Symptoms most often appear 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 high blood pressure does not spare anyone and the limits are arbitrary. The younger generation often suffers from high blood pressure.
Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
The consequences of high blood pressure are dangerous for the whole body. This leads to:
- vision loss;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is, above all, a reason to learn about the symptoms of high blood pressure and recognize the disease in time.
High blood pressure has insidious symptoms
Unfortunately, the disease often begins incognito. Symptoms are usually not noticeable in the initial stages. More precisely, they exist, but most of the time people don't pay attention to them, attributing illnesses to fatigue 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 look like a "ring" pressing on the temple. Patients often describe the pain as "like having bricks placed on their head. "It gets worse when you bend down or make sudden movements.
Additionally, symptoms include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and mist before eyes;
- confusion of consciousness;
- lethargy and apathy;
- noise in the ears.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should start measuring your blood pressure. Its consistently high scale is cause for alarm and contact with specialists.
These are just the initial signs of the first stage of hypertension.
It is also characterized by:
- increased sweating;
- redness and puffiness of the face;
- swelling in the morning;
- swelling of the hands;
- memory loss or partial loss.
Stages of high blood pressure: when to sound the alarm?
The disease has several limits. The first stage is the fluctuation of pressure in the range of up to 160 - the upper limit and 100 - the lower limit. If the disease is recognized in time and appropriate treatment is prescribed, 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 one of 110. Symptoms include headache and heartache, as well as dizziness. The organs of vision are also affected. In this case, complex treatment, lifestyle changes and daily routine are required.
The third stage of high blood pressure is indicated by the irreversible processes taking place in the body. Due to the heavy load on the blood vessels, the pressure rises to 180-110. The worst in this case are the consequences. Without immediate treatment, high blood pressure is life-threatening.
A hypertensive crisis can overtake the patient at any stage of development. This leads to aggravation of all the symptoms of the disease. In this case, the lower pressure will be high. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Treatment of high blood pressure: in the hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined only by the doctor. The first thing to remember is:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp drop can put you at risk of heart attack;
- The method of normalizing the condition can only be explained individually by a qualified specialist in each case. There is no point in doing the treatment alone;
- If you feel improvement, do not stop taking the medication. The course prescribed by the doctor must be completed;
- Do not change the treatment yourself: increase or decrease the dose of the drug;
- You should not wait for a temporary recovery. High blood pressure is a disease that does not develop overnight and does not go away overnight.