A pathology of the cardiovascular system characterized by high blood pressure is called hypertension. This disease is treated by cardiologists, therapists, neurologists and nephrologists.
Hypertension or essential hypertension is a permanent increase in blood pressure. A temporary increase in blood pressure is observed in people during exercise, stress and other conditions to which the cardiovascular system adapts. A person suffering from hypertension experiences a constant increase in blood pressure. Doctors include headache, difficulty breathing, chest pain and palpable pulsation in the temples as characteristic symptoms of the pathology. Without treatment, chronic hypertension can be complicated by diseases of the heart, kidneys, brain and other organs.
This disease is treated by: a cardiologist and a therapist
Blood pressure is caused by the movement of blood through blood vessels. At the moment of contraction of the heart, there is an increase in pressure (systolic indicator), and at the moment of relaxation of the organ, there is a decrease in blood pressure (diastolic indicator). Hypertension is one of the most common disorders of the cardiovascular system. It can be an independent pathology or a consequence of diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands and other organs. Hypertension is most often diagnosed in men and women over the age of 65.
Symptoms of hypertension
Manifestations of hypertension depend on the degree of increase in blood pressure and the cause of the pathology. Changes in blood pressure can negatively affect any organ, but patients primarily experience disorders of the nervous system and kidneys. People suffering from hypertension may occasionally experience increased pressure, and the rest of the time the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Symptoms and signs:
- Dizziness and headache;
- Throbbing sensation in various parts of the body, such as the back of the head and temples;
- A feeling of "fog in the head", reduced visual acuity;
- Tinnitus and audible heartbeat;
- Insomnia and fatigue;
- Loss of appetite and nausea;
- Compression pain in the chest;
- Shortness of breath at rest and during light physical activity;
- Increased sweating;
- Redness of the face;
- Swelling of hands and face.
Other symptoms depend on the causes and complications of hypertension. These can be symptoms of brain dysfunction, visual impairment or pathology of another organ.
Causes of hypertension
Cardiologists distinguish between primary (essential) hypertension, which is detected in most cases, and secondary hypertension, which occurs as a complication of other diseases. Doctors cite obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable heredity, atherosclerosis, bad habits and poor diet as risk factors for the development of the disease. An increase in blood pressure can occur due to vasoconstriction, dysregulation of the cardiovascular system, hormonal changes and other factors.
Other reasons:
- Diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands. The functions of these organs play an important role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. Secondary hypertension can develop against the background of chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, adrenal gland tumors and other pathologies;
- thyroid disease. This organ secretes hormones necessary to regulate the functioning of the body;
- Metabolic and blood diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis;
- Chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- Hereditary factors that cause dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- Pathologies of the female reproductive system, complicated by hormonal imbalance.
Determining the cause of secondary hypertension is very important for treatment.
Get a consultation
If you experience these symptoms, we advise you to make an appointment with your doctor. Timely counseling will prevent negative consequences for your health.
Why choose a professional clinic?
- Treatment is carried out in accordance with clinical guidelines
- A comprehensive assessment of the nature of the disease and treatment prognosis
- Modern diagnostic equipment and own laboratory
- High level of service and balanced price policy
Diagnosis of hypertension in a modern clinic
If symptoms of hypertension appear, it is necessary to make an appointment with a cardiologist. The clinical doctor asks the patient about complaints and studies the anamnestic data in detail in order to identify risk factors for the onset of the disease. Then a primary examination is performed, which includes a general examination, listening (auscultation) of the heart and measuring blood pressure with a tonometer. The cardiologist confirms the presence of pathology by anamnesis, external signs, as well as by rediscovering systolic pressure above 150 mm. capeArt. and diastolic pressure above 95 mm. capeArt. After that, the doctor prescribes additional studies to determine the cause and form of the disease.
Diagnostic methods used:
- Dynamic measurement of blood pressure, allowing exclusion of situational (natural) hypertension. The doctor measures the blood pressure in a quiet environment. Before this test, you must refrain from physical activity, smoking, alcohol and taking certain medications. The cardiologist measures the pressure in both arms by placing the tonometer cuff 2. 5 cm above the elbow. For convenience, the patient can assume a lying or standing position. The study is conducted at intervals of 2-5 minutes in order to obtain several indicators and determine the average level of blood pressure;
- General and biochemical blood test. The cardiologist gives the patient a referral for this study to detect hypertension factors. In the treatment room, the nurse treats the patient's antecubital fossa with an antiseptic, compresses the arm in the shoulder area with a tourniquet and draws blood using a syringe. In the laboratory, specialists determine the levels of lipids, creatinine, hormones, glucose and potassium in the blood sample. The ratio and amount of blood cells are also determined;
- Urinalysis. The doctor explains to the patient how and at what time it is necessary to fill the sterile container with urine. Laboratory testing of urine allows you to assess the efficiency of renal filtration and identify inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
- Electrocardiography is a study of the electrical activity of the heart, which enables the detection of causes and signs of disease. During the procedure, the doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and attaches sensors (electrodes) to different parts of the body. Then the cardiogram is collected and deciphered;
- Ultrasound examination of the heart is the safest method of examination of the heart, which allows detection of pathological changes in the organ, such as thickening of the walls of the left ventricle. The doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and press the probe against the skin to get an image of the heart on the monitor.
The professional modern clinic has a laboratory that allows doctors to conduct modern research and quickly obtain reliable diagnostic results. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes an examination of the brain, kidneys and other organs affected by high blood pressure.
Treatment of hypertension
When prescribing treatment, the clinic's cardiologist focuses on the diagnostic results and the patient's condition. An individual treatment regimen is prescribed, which aims to normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system, eliminate the symptoms of hypertension and prevent dangerous complications. In addition to drug therapy, the cardiologist must prescribe a diet necessary to improve the functioning of blood vessels and kidneys. Compliance with the prescriptions of professional experts helps to significantly improve the quality of life.
Methods of treating hypertension:
- Prescribing thiazide diuretics. These are diuretics that stimulate the kidneys to remove more fluid from the body. The doctor prescribes these drugs to remove swelling and normalize blood pressure;
- Prescribing ACE inhibitors. These drugs are used to suppress vasoconstrictors and lower blood pressure. In addition, these drugs are prescribed to treat the underlying cause of hypertension associated with kidney disease;
- Use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. A cardiologist prescribes these drugs to suppress the activity of factors that narrow blood vessels;
- Use of calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax the muscles of the vascular walls and reduce the heart rate, thereby lowering blood pressure;
- Use of alpha and beta blockers. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes drugs from these groups to reduce the heart rate, ease the burden on the heart and dilate blood vessels;
- Use of aldosterone antagonists. The main effect of these drugs is the improvement of kidney function, which is manifested in the increased secretion of fluids and salts. Thanks to this effect, a reduction in blood pressure is achieved;
- Prescribing additional drug therapy, including renin inhibitors, lipid-lowering drugs, sedatives, and vasodilators.
When prescribing an individual treatment regimen, the cardiologist of the clinic takes into account modern standards for the treatment of hypertension. To monitor the treatment, the doctor regularly prescribes laboratory and instrumental examinations. Endocrinologists, nutritionists and other doctors, if necessary, prescribe additional methods of treating hypertension.
Prevention of hypertension
The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.
Prevention methods:
- Improving your diet, including avoiding fatty, overly salty and fried foods;
- Quitting alcohol and cigarettes;
- Weight reduction and regular physical activity;
- Timely treatment of diseases of the kidneys and endocrine organs.
Consultation with a cardiologist will help you choose an individual prevention regimen and undergo examinations to detect risk factors for hypertension.