High blood pressure is a common and dangerous cardiovascular disease. To put it simply, it is a disease associated with high blood pressure. If treatment is not started on 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 in order to be able to recognize them in time and stop the disease in its early 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 should understand that only a qualified specialist makes a diagnosis and, as a result, prescribes the course of treatment.
The onset of the disease can be recognized using at least three blood pressure control indicators. If you notice that your blood pressure "jumps" throughout the day, there is no need to panic. Changes in the body can occur as a result of a change in career, for example, through intensive activity and sleep or exercise and office work. Indicators of normal well-being arein this case the numbers on the display of the device for measuring pressure from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure is consistently or frequently at 140, this is a sign that you should see a doctor.
Why does high blood pressure occur?
Pressure increases in response to processes occurring inside and outside the body. These are stress, an unpleasant environment, an increased level of danger. In these cases, a protective reaction is triggered in the body. The blood begins to release adrenaline, causing the heart rate to increase. This leads to vasoconstriction and muscle contraction. In combination, the body's response affects the increase in blood pressure. Since a person is not immune to overexertion, he often experiences such a strain on the functioning of his organs. This creates an immediate and harmful health threat.
Regular lack of sleep, anxiety, and mental and nervous illnesses can lead to high blood pressure. In addition, doctors call the causes of the disease as follows:
- problems with excess weight;
- Thyroid problems;
- Lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- Inheritance.
Who comes first?
High blood pressure primarily affects those who have relatives with this disease in their family.
In addition, symptoms can be observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and in people who are overweight.
If you suffer from osteochondrosis or arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure may be a consequence. There is a physiological explanation for this. In these diseases, vessels are compressed and the pressure increases accordingly.
An important factor in the development of high blood pressure is the influence of hormones. That's why 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 people with diabetes are at risk.
Symptoms most commonly occur 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 high blood pressure generally 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 entire body. It leads to:
- loss of vision;
- kidney disease;
- Metabolic syndrome;
- Heart attack;
- Stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is, above all, a reason to find out about the symptoms of high blood pressure and to be able to recognize the disease in good time.
Insidious symptoms of high blood pressure
Unfortunately, the disease often begins in secret. In the early stages, the symptoms are usually not noticeable. To be more precise, they exist, but people usually don't pay attention to them and attribute the symptoms to fatigue and routine. Signs of hypertension include frequent headaches. They are not related to changes in the 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 "tire" pressing on your temples. Patients often describe the pain as feeling "as if bricks were being placed on the back of your head. "It worsens when bending over or making sudden movements.
Symptoms also include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and mist in front of 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 consistently high value 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;
- facial redness and swelling;
- swelling in the morning;
- swelling of the hands;
- Memory impairment or partial loss.
Stages of high blood pressure: when should you sound the alarm?
The disease has several boundaries. The first stage is a pressure fluctuation in the range of up to 160 - the upper limit and 100 - the lower limit. If the disease is detected in a timely manner and competent 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 about 180 and a lower limit of 110. Symptoms include pain in the head and heart and dizziness. The visual organs 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 in the body. Due to the heavy load on the vessels, the pressure rises to 180-110. The worst thing in this case is the consequences. Without immediate treatment for high blood pressure, there is a high risk of death.
At all stages of development, the patient can be struck by a hypertensive crisis. All symptoms of the disease worsen. In this case the lower pressure becomes high. Signs include nausea and vomiting.
Treating high blood pressure: in the hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined solely by the doctor. What you need to consider first:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp decline can increase the risk of a heart attack;
- How to normalize the condition is explained only by a qualified specialist in each individual case. There is no point in carrying out the treatment alone.
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking the medication. 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 drug;
- You shouldn't wait for a fleeting cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in a day and does not disappear overnight.