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 condition in which blood pressure is continuously increased. Temporary increases in blood pressure are observed in people with exercise, stress, and other conditions to which the cardiovascular system adapts. A person with hypertension will have persistently increased blood pressure. Doctors consider headaches, shortness of breath, chest pain and a palpable pulse in the temples as characteristic symptoms of the disease. Without treatment, chronic hypertension can become complicated by diseases of the heart, kidneys, brain and other organs.
This disease is treated by: cardiologists and therapists
Blood pressure is caused by the movement of blood through blood vessels. At the moment the heart contracts, the pressure increases (systolic index) and at the moment the organ relaxes, blood pressure decreases (diastolic index). Hypertension is one of the most common disorders of the cardiovascular system. This can be an independent pathology or a consequence of diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands and other organs. Hypertension is commonly diagnosed in men and women over 65 years of age.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
Symptoms of hypertension depend on the degree of hypertension and the cause of the disease. Changes in blood pressure can negatively affect any organ, but patients mainly experience disorders in the nervous system and kidneys. In people with hypertension, an increase in pressure may sometimes occur, and the rest of the time unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Symptoms and signs:
- Dizziness and headache;
- Feeling of pulse in different parts of the body, such as the back of the head and temples;
- Feeling of "fog in the head", decreased vision;
- Tinnitus and audible heartbeat;
- Insomnia and fatigue;
- Loss of appetite and nausea;
- Compressive pain in the chest;
- Shortness of breath at rest and during light physical activity;
- Increased sweating;
- Blush;
- Swelling of hands and face.
Other symptoms depend on the cause and complications of hypertension. These may be symptoms of brain dysfunction, vision impairment or other organ disease.
Causes of high blood pressure
Cardiologists distinguish between primary (idiopathic) hypertension, which is detected in most cases, and secondary hypertension, which occurs as a complication of other diseases. Doctors consider obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable genetics, atherosclerosis, bad habits and poor diet as risk factors for developing the disease. Increased 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 function of these organs plays an important role in regulating the cardiovascular system. Secondary hypertension can develop against the background of chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, adrenal tumors and other pathologies;
- Thyroid disease. This organ secretes the necessary hormones to regulate the body's activities;
- Metabolic and blood diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis;
- chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- Genetic factors cause dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- Pathology of the female reproductive system, complicated by hormonal imbalance.
Determining the cause of secondary hypertension is important in treatment.
Get advice
If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.
Why should you choose a professional clinic?
- Treatment is performed according to clinical guidelines
- Comprehensive assessment of the nature of the disease and treatment prognosis
- State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and our own laboratory
- High level of service and balanced pricing policy
Diagnosis of hypertension in a modern clinic
If symptoms of high blood pressure appear, you should make an appointment with a cardiologist. The clinic doctor asks the patient about complaints and studies historical data in detail to identify risk factors for the disease. Then a primary examination is performed, including a general examination, listening (listening) to the heart, and measuring blood pressure with a manometer. The cardiologist confirms the presence of pathology by history, external signs, as well as by repeated detection of systolic blood pressure above 150 mm. HgArt. and diastolic blood pressure above 95 mm. HgArt. Then the doctor prescribes additional studies to determine the cause and form of the disease.
Diagnostic methods used:
- Dynamic blood pressure measurement, allowing to exclude (spontaneous) hypertension. The doctor measures blood pressure in a quiet environment. Before having this test, you must limit physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking certain medications. The cardiologist measures pressure in both arms by placing a tonometer cuff 2. 5 cm above the elbow. For convenience, the patient can be in a lying or standing position. The study is performed over a period of 2-5 minutes to obtain a number of indicators and determine the average blood pressure level;
- General blood and biochemical tests. Cardiologists refer patients to this study to detect factors that cause hypertension. In the treatment room, the nurse treats the patient's anterior elbow pit with an antiseptic, tightens the arm in the shoulder area with a tourniquet and draws blood with a syringe. In the laboratory, experts determine the levels of lipids, creatinine, hormones, glucose and potassium in blood samples. The percentage and number of blood cells are also determined;
- Urine analysis. The doctor explains to the patient how and when to fill the sterile container with urine. Laboratory urine testing allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of kidney filtration and identify inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
- An electrocardiogram is the study of the heart's electrical activity, allowing one to detect the causes and signs of disease. During the procedure, the doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and attach sensors (electrodes) to different parts of the body. The electrocardiogram is then collected and decoded;
- Echocardiography is the safest method of examining the heart, allowing to detect pathological changes in the organ, such as thickening of the left ventricle wall. The doctor asks the patient to lie on their back and press the probe against the skin to obtain images of the heart on a monitor.
The modern professional clinic has a laboratory that allows doctors to conduct modern research and quickly obtain reliable diagnostic results. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes the patient to examine 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 aimed at normalizing the functioning of the cardiovascular system, eliminating symptoms of hypertension and preventing dangerous complications. In addition to drug treatment, the cardiologist must prescribe the necessary diet to improve the function of blood vessels and kidneys. Compliance with the prescriptions of specialized experts significantly improves the quality of life.
Treatment methods for high blood pressure:
- Prescribe a thiazide diuretic. These are diuretics that stimulate the kidneys to remove more fluid from the body. Doctors prescribe these drugs to eliminate swelling and normalize blood pressure;
- Prescribe ACE inhibitors. These drugs are used to inhibit vasoconstrictors and reduce blood pressure. Additionally, these medications are prescribed to treat the underlying cause of hypertension related to kidney disease;
- Use angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Cardiologists prescribe these drugs to block the action of factors that constrict blood vessels;
- Use calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax the muscles of the vessel walls and reduce the heart rate, thereby lowering blood pressure;
- Use alpha and beta blockers. If necessary, the cardiologist will prescribe drugs from these groups to reduce heart rate, reduce the load on the heart and dilate blood vessels;
- Use aldosterone antagonists. The main effect of these drugs is to improve kidney function, which is manifested in increased fluid and salt secretion. Thanks to this effect, blood pressure decreases;
- Prescribe additional drug therapy, including renin inhibitors, lipid-lowering drugs, sedatives, and vasodilators.
When prescribing an individual treatment regimen, the clinic's cardiologist takes into account modern standards for the treatment of hypertension. To monitor treatment, doctors regularly prescribe laboratory and instrumental tests. Endocrinologists, nutritionists and other doctors, if necessary, will prescribe additional treatments for hypertension.
Prevent high blood pressure
The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.
Prevention methods:
- Improve your diet, including avoiding fatty, overly salty and fried foods;
- Quit alcohol and tobacco;
- Reduce body weight and do regular physical activity;
- Timely treatment of diseases of the kidneys and endocrine organs.
A consultation with a cardiologist will help you choose an individual prevention regimen and undergo examinations to detect risk factors for hypertension.