The pathology of the cardiovascular system characterized by high blood pressure is called hypertension. Treatment of this disease is carried out by cardiologists, therapists, neurologists and nephrologists.
Hypertension or essential hypertension is a persistent increase in blood pressure. In humans, a temporary increase in blood pressure is observed 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, shortness of breath, chest pain and palpable 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: cardiologist and therapist
Blood pressure is caused by the movement of blood through the veins. During the contraction of the heart, the pressure increases (systolic index), and when the body relaxes, the blood pressure decreases (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 have a negative effect on any organ, but patients primarily experience disorders in the nervous system and kidneys. In people suffering from hypertension, an increase in pressure may sometimes occur, and the rest of the time unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Symptoms and signs:
- Dizziness and headache;
- Sensation of pulsation in various parts of the body, such as the back of the head and temples;
- A feeling of "fog in the head", decreased visual acuity;
- Tinnitus and loud heartbeat;
- Insomnia and fatigue;
- loss of appetite and nausea;
- Oppressive 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 signs 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 mention obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable heredity, atherosclerosis, bad habits and improper nutrition as risk factors for the development of the disease. Increased blood pressure can occur due to narrowing of blood vessels, 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 tumor and other pathologies;
- Thyroid diseases. This organ secretes hormones necessary to regulate the body's work;
- Metabolic and blood diseases, for example, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis;
- Chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- Hereditary factors causing dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- Pathologies of the female reproductive system complicated by hormonal imbalance.
It is very important to determine the cause of secondary hypertension for treatment.
Get a consultation
If you experience these symptoms, we recommend making an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.
Why should you choose a professional clinic?
- Treatment is carried out according to clinical indications
- Comprehensive assessment of the nature of the disease and treatment prognosis
- Modern diagnostic equipment and our own laboratory
- High-level service and balanced price policy
Diagnosis of hypertension in a modern clinic
If symptoms of hypertension appear, you should make an appointment with a cardiologist. The clinic doctor asks the patient about complaints and studies the anamnestic data in detail to determine the risk factors for the disease. Then a preliminary examination is performed, including a general examination, listening to the heart (auscultation) and measuring blood pressure using a tonometer. A cardiologist confirms the presence of pathology by anamnesis, external signs, as well as repeated detection of systolic pressure above 150 mm. rt. Art. and diastolic pressure above 95 mm. rt. Art. After that, the doctor prescribes additional studies to determine the cause and form of the disease.
Diagnostic methods used:
- Dynamic measurement of blood pressure, which allows to exclude situational (natural) hypertension. The doctor measures the blood pressure in a quiet environment. Before this test, you should avoid 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 comfort, the patient can take a supine or standing position. The study is conducted at intervals of 2-5 minutes to obtain several indicators and determine the average blood pressure level;
- General and biochemical blood test. The cardiologist refers the patient 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 region with a tourniquet, and draws blood using a syringe. In the laboratory, specialists determine the level 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 when to fill a sterile container with urine. Urine test in the laboratory allows to assess the effectiveness of kidney filtration and to identify inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
- Electrocardiography is the study of the electrical activity of the heart, which allows to detect the causes and symptoms of the 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 decoded;
- Ultrasound examination of the heart is the safest method of examining the heart, it allows detecting pathological changes in the organ, for example, thickening of the walls of the left ventricle. The doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and presses the transducer against the skin to get an image of the heart on the monitor.
A professional modern clinic has a laboratory that allows doctors to conduct modern research and obtain reliable diagnostic results. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes the study of the brain, kidneys and other organs affected by high blood pressure.
Treatment of hypertension
When prescribing treatment, the cardiologist of the clinic pays attention to the diagnostic results and the patient's condition. An individual treatment regimen aimed at normalizing the activity of the cardiovascular system, eliminating the symptoms of hypertension and preventing dangerous complications is prescribed. 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 professionals helps to significantly improve the quality of life.
Treatment methods of hypertension:
- Determination of thiazide diuretics. These are diuretics that stimulate the kidneys to remove more fluid from the body. The doctor prescribes these drugs to relieve swelling and normalize blood pressure;
- Appointment of 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 constrict blood vessels;
- Use of calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax the muscles of the vascular walls and reduce the heart rate, thereby reducing blood pressure;
- Use of alpha and beta blockers. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes drugs from these groups to reduce the heart rate, reduce the load on the heart and expand blood vessels;
- Use of aldosterone antagonists. The main effect of these drugs is to improve kidney function, which is manifested by an increase in fluid and salt excretion. Thanks to this effect, a decrease in blood pressure is achieved;
- Prescribing additional drug therapy, including renin inhibitors, lipid-lowering drugs, sedatives, and vasodilators.
When determining 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 hypertension treatment.
Prevention of hypertension
The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.
Prevention methods:
- Improve your diet, including avoiding fatty, highly salty and fried foods;
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking;
- reduce body weight and regular physical activity;
- Timely treatment of diseases of the kidneys and endocrine organs.
Consultation with a cardiologist will help to choose an individual prevention regimen and undergo examinations to detect risk factors for hypertension.