High blood pressure in hypertension is an indicator of persistent chronic hypertension that must be treated. Even high blood pressure poses a risk of complications.
The blood pressure level indicates the force with which the blood presses on its walls as it moves through the vessels. Blood pressure monitor readings may fluctuate up or down throughout the day. This is considered the norm. But if the blood pressure level is constantly high, we are talking about a disease called hypertension.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, causes serious complications.
The so-called target organs are negatively affected: heart, kidneys, brain, blood vessels, retina. Most often, the consequences of high blood pressure are heart attacks and strokes.
Hypertension
High blood pressure in hypertension is dangerous and depends on the margin of error. Normal systolic blood pressure ranges between 120 and 129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 84 mmHg.
The diagnosis of "First Degree Hypertension" is made if blood pressure readings remain at a level of 140/90 to 160/100 mmHg. This is a mild degree of the disease, in which constantly elevated blood pressure is not accompanied by damage to internal organs.
In the initial stage of hypertension, blood pressure periodically increases. Constant stress can cause frequent and prolonged increases. In a calm neuropsychic state, the surge periods are brief and infrequent.
Persistent high blood pressure in hypertension poses a great threat of developing a hypertensive crisis. It's just a matter of time!
The success of the treatment of high blood pressure directly depends on compliance with the measures and treatment regimen. Strict compliance with the doctor's recommendations will accelerate the decrease in the tonometer readings to normal levels. The effect can last a long time.
You should monitor your blood pressure if you have the following symptoms:
- headaches in the back of the head (often throbbing);
- dizziness;
- sleep disorders;
- "flies" visual effect;
- heartache.
The danger of hypertension lies in the fact that its initial stage is usually asymptomatic.
A person may not even realize that he has high blood pressure. The body quickly adapts to new indicators and the patient feels quite normal. Meanwhile, the pathological process spreads and affects internal organs.
Catastrophic changes in blood vessels can lead to kidney failure, myocardial infarction or stroke, which comes as a complete surprise to the patient.
Lifestyle changes can have a positive effect on blood pressure levels.
To do this, the patient needs:
- ensure restful sleep;
- avoid stressful situations;
- practice exercises to relax the body;
- follow a diet;
- increase physical activity.
If these measures do not help to cope with high blood pressure, the patient is prescribed medication. After the examination, the doctor will tell you which medication is best to normalize blood pressure.
High pressure
High blood pressure due to hypertension must be treated immediately! The second degree of hypertension (moderate) is characterized by its increase to a level of 160/100 to 180/110 mmHg. In order for its indicators to return to normal at this stage of the disease, the use of medications is required. When examining patients diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension, an enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart is often detected.
Severe hypertension is diagnosed in cases with a persistent increase in blood pressure above 180/110 mmHg. Such high rates are often accompanied by serious complications, such as strokes, heart attacks, and kidney dysfunction.
High blood pressure due to hypertension is the most common cause of death and disability.
Symptoms of very high blood pressure and severe hypertension include:
- cardiac arrhythmia;
- nosebleeds;
- pain in the heart area;
- headache;
- alteration of gait and coordination of movements;
- severe visual impairment;
- muscular weakness;
- paralysis (as a result of impaired cerebral circulation);
- coughing up blood;
- inability to self-service;
- speech disorder;
- cloudiness of consciousness.
To treat severe hypertension, strong drugs are prescribed or the doses of common medications are increased. Patients with chronic pathology take pills for the rest of their lives.
Prevention of hypertension
If you have not yet been diagnosed with hypertension, reducing your blood pressure to normal levels should be a daily goal.
To maintain normal levels, you must follow some simple rules:
- maintain a normal body weight;
- eat less salt;
- maintain a moderate physical activity regimen;
- quit smoking and reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- consume foods containing potassium (the average daily requirement is 3500 mg of potassium for an adult);
- Include fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy products in your daily diet.
Proper nutrition
In case of high blood pressure, it is necessary to follow the basic principles of nutrition:
- The daily diet should be balanced in terms of protein, fat and carbohydrate content. Daily intake for an adult: proteins - 100 g, fats - 100 g, carbohydrates - 400 g.
- It is necessary to reduce the consumption of light carbohydrates (quickly converted into glucose).
- Reduce the amount of salt you consume.
- Enrich your daily menu with foods rich in vitamins, potassium, magnesium and other beneficial microelements.
- Replace animal fats with vegetable oils.
- Include seafood rich in iodine and fatty acids in your diet.
- Create the correct diet: the number of meals per day is 5, the last meal is 2 hours before bedtime.
- Give preference to boiled or steamed dishes.
- Daily fluid intake should not exceed 1. 5 liters (including liquid dishes and tea).
If there are no chronic abnormalities or vascular diseases, such simple measures should be sufficient to normalize blood pressure.
For stage 1 hypertension, it is necessary to limit the consumption of certain foods. For grades 2 and 3: exclude completely.
It is not strictly recommended that hypertensive patients include in their diet:
- rich fish and meat broths;
- fatty pork and lamb meats;
- strong coffee and tea;
- beef fat, lard;
- hot spices;
- bakery products, cakes, pastries;
- salted and pickled vegetables, radishes;
- mayonnaise, fatty sauces;
- chocolate, cocoa;
- sweet soda;
- alcohol and tobacco.
Products that reduce blood pressure.
For hypertensive patients, the greatest benefit will come from products that contain antioxidants and are capable of breaking down fats, thinning the blood and preventing the formation of blood clots.
| Nutrient content in products. | Product Sample List |
|---|---|
| Folic acid | Tomatoes, spinach, citrus, peas, beans. |
| Lactic acid | Sauerkraut, low-fat fermented dairy products |
| Vitamin C | Rose hips, garlic, currants, lemon |
| coarse fiber | Potatoes, cereals, vegetables, herbs, berries and fruits. |
| Phosphorus, magnesium, potassium. | Nuts, shellfish, seeds. |
The list of products can be expanded by following the basic principles of creating a menu for hypertensive patients.
Blood pressure changes throughout the day. Particularly pronounced fluctuations are observed in hypertensive patients. In the morning it is low, then it rises after meals and decreases again. At night, blood pressure is significantly higher than the morning level. And at night, during sleep, in patients with high blood pressure, it can drop sharply. These surges are more severe than in healthy people.
Normalizing blood pressure in hypertension can save a person's life and protect them from a heart attack or stroke.