Where does hypertension come from and why measure blood pressure if everything is in order with you

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Hypertension is the worst enemy of humanity. This is not an exaggeration, there are millions of deaths on the conscience of sores. Perhaps you are also sick and do not even know about it.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the most common cause of death in the world. More than 17 million people die from them a year, this is one in three. And 9.5 million cases are complications of hypertension.

Hypertension is high blood pressure. The heart pumps blood, which spreads through the vessels and acts on their walls, and this is how blood pressure appears. The heart suffers the most from high blood pressure, because it has to work harder.

Normally, the systolic (upper) pressure is 120 mm Hg, it is determined when the heart contracts, at the time of blood ejection. Diastolic (lower) - 80 mm, it is fixed at the time of relaxation of the heart.

These figures are not absolute: both 130 and 105 mm of systolic pressure are still the norm. When the systolic pressure exceeds 140, and the lower one exceeds 90, this is hypertension (hypertension). With her, blood does not flow to all organs, heart failure develops.

Due to the strong blood pressure, the walls of the vessels deteriorate. They become thinner and bulge, aneurysms are formed. And such a thin, deformed vessel can rupture and cause a life-threatening condition.

In addition to the fact that high blood pressure is a direct road to heart attacks and strokes, this condition also affects other organs. For example, on the kidneys and on the nervous system. The consequences are chronic renal failure and encephalopathy (disruption of the brain).

Where does hypertension come from?

Mostly people who get sick who are predisposed to high blood pressure. But if you look at the statistics again, it turns out that a third of the planet is unlucky.

At the same time, the incidence is only increasing. And experts from the World Health Organization blame urban growth and lifestyle changes that affect the so-called behavioral factors of hypertension:

1. Smoking and alcohol. Nicotine and ethyl alcohol constrict blood vessels, which means it is more difficult for the heart to push blood.
2. Sedentary lifestyle. Due to the fact that a person moves a little, the heart and blood vessels are lazy, for them even calm work becomes too difficult.
3. Excess weight. Simply because fat is deposited on internal organs, including the heart.
4. Stress. Constant nervous tension also affects the vessels.

Age doesn't really matter. The pressure can rise at 25 and at 65, although at 65 this happens more often.

How to recognize hypertension

The sooner you know about the onset of the disease, the better. The drugs help to effectively reduce blood pressure, and diet and a healthy lifestyle in the early stages of the disease show excellent results.

Among adults, every third person is sick, but not everyone knows about it, because the onset of hypertension occurs without symptoms.

When the pressure rises, a person may feel that his head often hurts, after light exertion, shortness of breath appears, insomnia begins, and fatigue rolls in too quickly. Sometimes patients feel that the heart beats faster, notice swelling of the legs at the end of the day, some have nosebleeds.

To track hypertension before symptoms begin, find out if you are at risk. Remember which family member was sick or sick with hypertension, think how often you get nervous and drink. If you smoke, then you are automatically at risk.

Buy an electronic tonometer in your home first aid kit and measure the pressure yourself. To draw any conclusions, you need to take some time to measure the pressure in the morning and in the evening and record the results. Ideally, such monitoring is needed for at least a couple of weeks to see the average value and draw conclusions about the state of the vessels. Such checks must be completed at least once a year.

And if you are not at risk, then at least do not shy away from mandatory medical examinations and do not hesitate to ask for a tonometer at a party for a check.

What to do if the pressure is high

First of all, come to the doctor and check why your blood pressure has increased.

Hypertension is primary, that is, it is the main disease that appeared on its own, and secondary, when high blood pressure is only a consequence of another disease.

The doctor will check what type you are and will select the appropriate treatment. It usually consists of blood pressure pills and changes in diet and habits.

In many cases, drugs for hypertension have to be taken always, for life, regardless of what pressure you had in the morning and how you feel.

Check this question with your doctor. If this is your case, do not quit treatment because you “feel better”.

How to protect yourself from high pressure

All we can do is get out of the risk group. This is the best way that really works in the case of hypertension.

For example, every extra 5 kg increases the pressure by an average of 2-5 points. What else needs to be done to preserve blood vessels:

1. There is less salt. The maximum rate is 5 g per day, this is a teaspoon. This includes the salt found in finished products.
2. There are at least 400 grams of vegetables and fruits a day.
3. Every day, devote half an hour to something active. You don't have to go to the gym or run in the morning, just go for a walk after work and walk a few stops at a moderate pace.
4. Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
5. Worry less. Learning to manage emotions is difficult, but necessary. Please your heart, stop worrying.