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 persistent increase in blood pressure. A temporary increase in blood pressure is observed in people during exercise, stress and other conditions in which the cardiovascular system adapts. A person with hypertension has a constant increase in blood pressure. Doctors include headache, shortness of breath, chest pain and significant pulsation in the temples as characteristic symptoms of pathology. Without treatment, chronic hypertension can be 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 the vessels. When the heart contracts, an increase in blood pressure occurs (systolic index), and when the organ relaxes, a decrease in blood pressure occurs (diastolic index). Hypertension is one of the most common disorders of the cardiovascular system. This can be an independent pathology or the result 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 mainly suffer from disorders of the nervous system and kidneys. In people suffering from hypertension, an increase in pressure may occur occasionally, and all the time the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Symptoms and signs:
- Dizziness and headache;
- Throbbing sensation in different parts of the body, such as the back of the head and temples;
- A feeling of "fog in the head", reducing visual acuity;
- 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;
- Facial redness;
- Swelling of hands and face.
Other symptoms depend on the cause and complications of hypertension. This may be a symptom of brain dysfunction, visual impairment, or other organ pathology.
Causes of hypertension
Cardiologists distinguish between primary (essential) hypertension, which is detected in most cases, and secondary hypertension, which occurs as a complication of another disease. Doctors include obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable heredity, atherosclerosis, bad habits and poor diet as risk factors for developing this 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 function of this organ plays an important role in controlling 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 hormones needed to regulate the body's functions;
- Metabolic and blood diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis;
- infectious diseases and chronic inflammation;
- Hereditary factors that cause dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- Pathology 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 consultation will avoid negative consequences for your health.
Why choose a professional clinic?
- Treatment is carried out according to clinical guidelines
- A comprehensive assessment of the nature of the disease and treatment prognosis
- Modern diagnostic equipment and our own laboratory
- High level of service and balanced pricing policy
Diagnosis of hypertension in modern clinics
If symptoms of hypertension appear, you need to make an appointment with a cardiologist. Clinic doctors ask patients about complaints and study anamnestic data in detail to identify risk factors for the disease. Then a primary examination is carried out, including a general examination, listening (auscultation) of the heart and measuring blood pressure using a tonometer. Cardiologists confirm the presence of pathology with history, external signs, and also with repeated detection of systolic pressure above 150 mm. right. Art. and diastolic pressure above 95 mm. right. Art. After this, the doctor prescribes additional studies to determine the cause and form of the disease.
Diagnostic methods used:
- Dynamic blood pressure measurement, allows to exclude (natural) hypertension. The doctor takes blood pressure measurements in a quiet environment. Before this test, you must refrain from physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and taking certain medications. The cardiologist measured the pressure in both arms by placing the tonometer cuff 2. 5 cm above the elbow. For convenience, the patient can take a lying or standing position. This study is conducted at 2-5 minute intervals to obtain some indications and determine the average blood pressure level;
- General blood and biochemical tests. Cardiologists refer patients for this study to detect hypertension factors. In the treatment room, the nurse treats the patient's antecubital fossa with an antiseptic, squeezes the arm in the shoulder area with a tourniquet and takes blood using a syringe. In the laboratory, experts determine the levels of lipids, creatinine, hormones, glucose and potassium in the blood sample. The ratio and quantity of blood cells are also determined;
- Urinalysis. The doctor explains to the patient how and when it is necessary to fill a sterile container with urine. Urine tests in the laboratory allow you to evaluate the effectiveness of kidney filtration and identify inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
- Electrocardiography is a study of the heart's electrical activity, which allows a person to detect the cause 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. Then the cardiogram is collected and interpreted;
- Ultrasound examination of the heart is the safest method to examine the heart, allowing to detect pathological changes in the organ, such as thickening of the left ventricular wall. The doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and press the transducer on the skin to get an image of the heart on the monitor.
Professional modern clinics have laboratories that allow doctors to conduct modern research and quickly obtain reliable diagnostic results. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes the patient a study of the brain, kidneys and other organs affected by high blood pressure.
Treatment of hypertension
When prescribing treatment, clinical cardiologists focus on the diagnostic results and the patient's condition. An individual treatment regimen is prescribed, aimed at normalizing the activity of the cardiovascular system, eliminating the symptoms of hypertension and preventing dangerous complications. In addition to drug therapy, cardiologists must prescribe the necessary diet to improve the function of blood vessels and kidneys. Compliance with the prescription of a professional specialist helps to significantly improve the quality of life.
Treatment methods for hypertension:
- Thiazide diuretic prescription. This is a diuretic that stimulates the kidneys to remove more fluid from the body. Doctors prescribe these drugs to eliminate swelling and normalize blood pressure;
- ACE inhibitor prescription. These drugs are used to block vasoconstrictors and reduce blood pressure. In addition, these drugs are prescribed to treat the cause of hypertension related to kidney disease;
- Use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Cardiologists prescribe these drugs to block the activity of factors that narrow blood vessels;
- Use of calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax the muscles of the vascular wall and reduce the heart rate, thereby reducing blood pressure;
- Use of alpha and beta blockers. If necessary, cardiologists prescribe drugs from this group to reduce heart rate, ease the burden on the heart and dilate blood vessels;
- Use of aldosterone antagonists. The main effect of these drugs is to improve kidney function, shown in increased fluid and salt secretion. Thanks to this effect, a decrease in blood pressure is achieved;
- Prescribe additional drug therapy, including renin inhibitors, lipid-lowering drugs, sedatives and vasodilators.
When prescribing an individual treatment regimen, clinical cardiologists take into account modern standards for the treatment of hypertension. To monitor treatment, doctors often prescribe laboratory and instrumental examinations. Endocrinologists, nutritionists and other doctors, if necessary, prescribe additional methods to treat hypertension.
Prevention of hypertension
The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.
Prevention methods:
- Improving your diet, including avoiding fatty, overly salty and fried foods;
- Quit alcohol and cigarettes;
- Lose weight and frequent 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 screening to detect hypertension risk factors.