Every person with this diagnosis must know how blood pressure changes with hypertension. More and more people are suffering from this disease. The disease is getting younger, so everyone must understand the principles of life with hypertension: both patients and their family members. What kind of pressure is life-threatening, how to behave during an attack, do heredity and lifestyle affect the development of the disease? Answers to 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 blood vessel walls due to their spasm. This process occurs for several reasons: heredity, bad habits, stress, sedentary lifestyle. The main method for diagnosing hypertension is blood pressure measurement. From childhood, everyone is 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, which is called systolic blood pressure (SBP). Another indicator assesses the blood pressure between heartbeats, called diastolic blood pressure.
Symptoms of high blood pressure are palpitations, nausea, throbbing pain in the back of the head, dizziness, increased sweating, pain in the heart area, insomnia.
Doctors made a direct connection between blood pressure indicators and the degree of the patient's illness:
- 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—hypertension of the 1st degree;
- 160–179/100–109 —2. 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 the person simply does not notice them, gradually getting used to the symptoms. Hypertension continues to progress, changing blood vessels and increasing the likelihood of heart attack, stroke or kidney problems. If hypertension is a common diagnosis in the family, it is necessary to periodically monitor blood pressure parameters in order to stop the disease in its infancy.
How is the diagnosis made?
| Phases of research | What is being tested? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure measurement | Indicator measurements every 15-30 minutes for several days. | - |
| Anamnesis | Detailed analysis of complaints and symptoms. | - |
| Overview | Measurement of temperature and blood pressure, palpation of the thyroid gland, skin examination. 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 sounds when listening with a stethoscope, blurred vision, spots, swelling of the legs. |
| Instrumental methods | Blood and urine for general analysis | - |
| Blood biochemistry | Control sugar, uric acid, K, Na, cholesterol. | |
| EKG | Angina was detected. | |
| Fund review | Symptoms: narrowing of arteries, microhemorrhages, dilatation 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 different ways. Phase 1, when functional changes occur, is characterized by insomnia, fatigue and headache. Attacks are short-lived and unstable. After taking a sedative in combination with rest, blood pressure drops. In the 2nd phase, organic changes appear. Antihypertensive drugs are prescribed to stop attacks. Crises are possible. Kidney function is impaired and vision decreases. Attacks are persistent and long-lasting. In 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 911.
- Place the tablet under the tongue to speed up the absorption of the medicine.
- Breathe evenly and try not to be nervous.
- To dilate the peripheral vessels, you can put a mustard patch 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 the course of 2-4 hours, because a sudden jump in "hypertension - low blood pressure" has negative consequences, especially if the patient is elderly. High blood pressure can cause panic attacks. Hypertensive patients often have high blood pressure. Tablets help relieve attacks - you need to stop being nervous and follow the doctor's instructions. It is recommended that you keep a sheet of paper with the sequence of actions during the attack in a visible place in order to do everything correctly. This helps you deal with panic on your own and lower your blood pressure.
To prevent a crisis, you must follow the doctor's recommendations.
Prevention
| General recommendations |
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