The fact that there is a diagnosis of hypertension is thought only when there is a persistent increase in blood pressure in the face, or frequent jumps occur. At the same time, different stages of hypertension are manifested with different forces. In the early stages of the disease, people are usually unaware of the development of problems. Sometimes even a slight rise in temperature is given more attention than a violation of the condition when hypertension develops. Types of pathology vary in the strength of the manifestation of symptoms and the presence of concomitant disorders in the body. Even in the absence of visible signs, high blood pressure is no less dangerous than when supplemented with various disorders in the body. Signs of hypertension include: tremors in the limbs, nausea, headache, flies in front of the eyes. All symptoms develop due to problems with blood circulation to the internal organs.
Stages of hypertension
The clinic of hypertension, according to the effect on the whole body and the strength of the accompanying symptoms, is classified into stage and severity. There are 3 phases. The phasing helps the physician to systematize the diagnostic data obtained and to select the appropriate tactics for correcting the patient's condition.
1 phase
The level of blood pressure in the first stage of hypertension does not exceed 159/99. This increase may continue for several days. Rest will help normalize blood pressure, eliminating stress. With further progression of the pathology, it will not be so easy to restore the pressure rate.
At this stage of the disease development, there are no signs that it has an effect on the target organs. For this reason, hypertension is often asymptomatic. Only sometimes sleep is disturbed, implicit headaches and heart pain may develop.
During the clinical diagnosis, a slight increase in the tone of the fundus arteries may be established. In the first stage of the disease, the risk of a hypertensive crisis is minimal, often this situation occurs only due to the influence of external circumstances on the body. The risk also increases in women during menopause. The initial stage responds well to treatment. For this, a lifestyle change is usually enough. Medication is not always necessary. With timely therapy and strict adherence to the doctor's instructions, the prognosis will be favorable.
2 phases
This is the stage of active pathological changes in the vessels - severe hypertension. The pressure in the second phase reaches 179/109. Rest does not restore its level. A person complains of excruciating headaches, shortness of breath during exercise, deteriorating sleep, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
This stage is characterized by the development of the first signs from the internal organs. The most common symptoms of severe hypertension are:
- signs of left ventricular hypertrophy;
- narrowing of the lumen of the retinal arteries;
- increase in blood cholesterol;
- the presence of protein in the urine.
Stage 2 hypertension significantly increases the risk of dangerous complications that can lead to a stroke. Without continuous medical treatment, it will not work.
3 phases
This is the stage of disorders in the target organs due to pathological changes in the arteries and impaired blood flow throughout the body. Very severe hypertension in the 3rd stage. The final stage of hypertension is the most severe, extensive disorders that develop in the body, affecting the target organs. The eyes, kidneys, brain and heart are most affected. The pressure in the third stage is stable, it is difficult to normalize even with drug treatment. There are often jumps up to 180/110 mm Hg. Art. and even more so. The symptomatology is similar to that which appears in the second stage, but in addition is accompanied by pathological manifestations from the affected organs. Memory often deteriorates, heart rate is very disturbed, visual acuity decreases.
This stage is dangerous because it always touches the heart. Its contractility and transmission of impulses to the myocardium are disturbed.
Diplomat
With an increase in blood pressure and the lack of effect of the measures taken, it can be assumed that the disease is progressing. The optimal blood pressure level is 120/80. The rate for systolic pressure varies from 120 to 129 and diastolic from 80 to 84. There is also a normal high pressure when a person feels well - up to 139/89 mm Hg. Art. In medicine, hypertension is classified into 3 degrees.
I degree
Grade 1 hypertension is mild, characterized by a drop in pressure and fluctuations from 140/90 to 159/99. The risk of a crisis in such a situation is minimized, there are no symptoms of dysfunction of other and central organs. nervous system. To suppress an attack, in addition to taking special pills, you need to relax a bit, try to avoid stress, walks and positive emotions have a beneficial effect on health.
If systolic pressure does not exceed 159, and diastolic - 99 mm Hg. Art. , then the person is diagnosed with mild hypertension - the first degree. It is characterized by such signs:
- headaches that worsen with exertion;
- stinging, pain sensation in the left chest, radiating to the shoulder blade and under the arm;
- dizziness that is so strong that it can lead to fainting;
- acceleration of heartbeat;
- black flies;
- tinnitus;
- sleep disorders.
A person ceases to notice the listed symptoms if they develop continuously. The attack of hypertension can start under the influence of stress and, with the right help, passes without consequences.
degree II
Grade 2 hypertension begins to develop more actively. The pressure level is already reaching 160/100 - 179/109. Signs of a hypertensive crisis develop - cold sweats appear, lumps appear on the skin, the skin on the face becomes red.
Symptoms of second-degree disease include:
- transient cerebral ischemia - deterioration of blood flow to the organ;
- an increase in the concentration of creatinine in the blood;
- narrowing of arteries in the retina;
- an increase in the size of the left ventricle;
- protein in the urine, which is found during the administration of tests;
- constant fatigue;
- nausea;
- pulsations in the head;
- swelling of the face;
- heavy sweating;
- damage to internal organs;
- numbness of the fingers;
- blurred vision;
- crisis.
Medications do not cope well with the normalization of the patient's condition. Doctors pay attention not only to the level of pressure, but also to the degree of development of the disease. Second degree hypertension affects the kidneys. The patient almost always complains of ill-treatment.
degree III
The third degree of hypertension is more severe. When it occurs, vision drops significantly, memory deteriorates, tachycardia often occurs, and the risk of a hypertensive crisis is high. Complications of this condition include thrombosis, encephalopathy, aneurysm, kidney failure and left ventricle of the heart, bruising all over the body, and swelling of the optic nerve. The pathology is irreversible. With grade 3 hypertension, the patient inevitably needs outside help and care. The main signs of hypertension are:
- arrhythmia;
- gait instability;
- visible visual impairment;
- violation of blood flow to the brain, provoking paresis and paralysis;
- crisis, accompanied by confusion and impaired speech;
- sharp pains in the heart;
- blood examination;
- limitation of mobility and ability to self-service;
- inability to communicate properly.
These symptoms indicate the progression of hypertension and the involvement of new organs in the disease. Gradually, more irreversible complications develop.
Classification according to risk factors
Hypertension, first of all, is dangerous for its many and often irreversible complications. Most patients become disabled or die not from high blood pressure but from acute disorders in other organs that it provokes.
The most dangerous conditions are ischemic necrosis, cerebral hemorrhage, heart attack, kidney failure. To prevent various complications related to the dysfunction of other organs, the doctor determines the degree of risk during the examination. Risk levels are indicated by numbers from 1 to 4. It turns out that the diagnosis contains information about the degree and risk of injury, for example, GB 2 degree, risk 4.
Low risk (negligible)
This risk indicator for the development of hypertensive complications is observed in women under 65 years of age and in men under 55 years of age with mild hypertension in stage 1. Over the next 10 years, only 15% of people develop additional cardiac and vascular disorders due to hypertension. These patients are usually visited by general practitioners, as it makes no sense to visit a cardiologist and carry out serious treatment.
When the small risks still persist, a person needs to make lifestyle changes in the next 6 months. This will bring positive developments. If there are no results and a reduction in blood pressure cannot be achieved, then it is recommended to change patient management tactics and implement medication therapy.
Medium risk
This group of patients includes patients with hypertension, whose blood pressure readings are not more than 179/110. As a rule, these people have 1-2 risk factors from the following:
- smoking;
- genetics;
- obesity;
- high cholesterol concentration;
- lack of physical activity;
- impaired glucose tolerance.
Over the next 10 years, dangerous cardiovascular pathologies develop in 20% of cases. Organizing a proper lifestyle is an integral part of maintaining good health. Within 3-6 months, medications may not be prescribed so that the patient can restore as much health as possible through lifestyle changes.
High risk
This risk group includes patients with indicators 179/110 or more in the presence of more than 2 predisposing factors. Also, a high risk is set for people with target organ damage, diabetes mellitus, retinal vascular disorders and atherosclerosis.
There may also be no risk factors, but people with stage 3 hypertension are still at high risk. They should be treated by a cardiologist. The risk of complications is 30%. Lifestyle normalization is used only as an additional tactic against the background of taking specially selected drugs. The choice of the most effective drugs should be made as soon as possible.
Treatment approaches
The main objectives of hypertension treatment are to reduce blood pressure and prevent its consequences. Complete cure is impossible, but internship and adequate treatment help stop the active progression of the pathology and minimize the risk of a hypertensive crisis.
Drug therapy usually involves the use of antihypertensive drugs that inhibit the production of norepinephrine and its vasomotor activity. At the same time, the appointment of diuretics, antiplatelet agents, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and sedative drugs is required. In the absence of the expected result, a combined effect of several antihypertensive drugs is performed immediately.
In a hypertensive crisis it is required to reduce the pressure within one hour after the attack, otherwise the risks of dangerous complications and death increase. In such a situation, antihypertensive drugs are used by injection or in drops.
Regardless of the degree and stage of body dysfunction, an important method of therapy is the normalization of nutrition, adherence to a special diet. The diet necessarily includes foods enriched with magnesium, potassium, vitamins. Restriction of salt use, abstinence from alcohol, fried and fatty foods are required. With obesity, the daily calorie content of the diet is reduced, sugar, pastes and other confectionery products are prohibited.
People with hypertension benefit from moderate physical activity - exercise therapy, swimming, walking. Therapeutic massage also has a good effect on well-being with hypertension. Smoking is strictly forbidden, you need to develop resistance to stress with the help of psychotherapeutic practices and relaxation techniques.
The effectiveness of complex therapy is evaluated according to several criteria:
- The short-term goals are to normalize the pressure to a level at which the patient feels well.
- The medium-term goals are to prevent the emergence and active development of pathologies in the target organs.
- The long-term goals are to prevent complications and extend the patient's life.
Hypertension is a disease that is much easier to prevent than to fight it for a lifetime, trying to alleviate the symptoms and prevent a systemic worsening of the condition. The earlier the diagnosis is made and the stage of hypertension is determined, the more effective the treatment will be.