Arterial hypertension
Modern medical guidelines define arterial hypertension as a persistent and prolonged increase in blood pressure. Blood pressure is not a static, but a dynamic indicator, which changes depending on physical activity or psycho-emotional state. Blood pressure also changes in healthy people, for example, with physical exertion it increases, and at rest comes to normal. In the case of arterial hypertension, the pressure exceeds the permissible norm.
According to the classification of the American Heart Association, blood pressure is divided into 4 categories.
- Normal blood pressure. Systolic pressure is less than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure is less than 80 mmHg;
- Elevated blood pressure or prehypertension. Systolic pressure 120 to 129 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg;
- Hypertension Stage 1. Systolic pressure 130 to 139 mm Hg, and diastolic pressure 80 to 89 mm Hg;
- Hypertension Stage 2. Systolic pressure 140 mm Hg or higher, and diastolic pressure 90 mm Hg or higher;
- Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is a hypertensive crisis.
More than 50% of patients with arterial hypertension are at risk for cardiovascular complications. Uncontrolled arterial hypertension leads to serious complications, stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), aortic aneurysm and/or aortic dissection, angina pectoris, chronic renal failure, and retinal damage.
Symptoms
Arterial hypertension begins most often asymptomatic, so periodic screening is important to detect elevated blood pressure in adults. When blood pressure rises, patients complain of:
- headache;
- dizziness;
- difficulty breathing;
- sometimes high blood pressure can cause nosebleeds;
- visual impairment.
Causes
There are many causes of arterial hypertension, including:
- being overweight;
- lack of physical activity;
- high salt intake;
- insomnia;
- stress;
- chronic kidney disease;
- thyroid disease;
- excessive alcohol intake;
- tobacco smoking;
- diabetes;
- genetic factors;
- obstructive sleep apnea;
- adrenal tumors.
There are two main forms of arterial hypertension
Primary hypertension can be a primary disease, otherwise known as essential hypertension. Arterial hypertension can also be a manifestation of another disease, in such cases it is called symptomatic hypertension.
Risk Factors
High blood pressure has many risk factors, including:
- Age. The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. Until about age 64, high blood pressure is more common in men. In women, high blood pressure is more likely to develop after age 65.
- Race. High blood pressure is especially common in blacks. Blacks often develop it earlier than whites.
- Family history. You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if you have parents or siblings with the condition.
- Obesity or being overweight. In the early stages of obesity, sodium reabsorption from the renal tubules increases, followed by volume overload of the blood vessels. Obesity increases blood levels of renin, angiotensin II and aldosterone, the hormones responsible for arterial hypertension. One in two obese people has high blood pressure. For every 5 kg of weight gain, blood pressure increases by an average of 4.5 mmHg.
- Lack of exercise. Lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain. Weight gain increases the risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Tobacco use or tobacco smoke. Tobacco use or tobacco smoke immediately raises blood pressure for a short time. Smoking damages the walls of blood vessels and accelerates the thickening of arteries.
- Large amounts of salt. Too much salt - also called sodium - causes fluid retention in the body, which raises blood pressure.
- Low potassium levels. Potassium helps balance the amount of salt in the body's cells. A proper balance of potassium is important for heart health. Low potassium levels can be caused by a lack of potassium in the diet or certain health conditions, including dehydration.
- Too much alcohol. Alcohol consumption has been linked to increased blood pressure, especially in men.
- Stress. Severe stress can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress-related habits such as overeating, smoking, or drinking alcohol can further increase blood pressure.
- Certain chronic diseases. Kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea are some of the conditions that can cause high blood pressure.
- Pregnancy. Sometimes pregnancy causes high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure is most common in adults. In children, high blood pressure can be caused by kidney or heart problems. Overweight in children is mostly caused by poor diet and lack of exercise.
Complications
Arterial hypertension without proper control and treatment is accompanied by many complications, among them, stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis of blood vessels, damage to the wall of the main blood vessel - aorta, heart failure, chronic renal failure, visual impairment and others.
Stroke with myocardial infarction. Hardening and thickening of the arteries due to high blood pressure or other factors can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, or other complications.
Aneurysm. Increased blood pressure can cause damage to the wall of a blood vessel, leading to an aneurysm or aortic dissection.
Heart failure. Arterial hypertension is a major contributor to coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and heart failure.
Kidney problems. High blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the kidneys to narrow, which can damage them.
Vision problems. High blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the eyes to thicken or narrow. This can lead to vision loss.
Metabolic syndrome. This syndrome includes increased insulin resistance, impaired fat metabolism, obesity, especially abdominal obesity, and arterial hypertension. Which, in turn, increases the likelihood of developing diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Memory changes. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can negatively affect your ability to think, memorize and learn.
Dementia. Narrowed or blocked arteries can restrict blood flow to the brain, which can lead to vascular dementia.
