The fact that hypertension is diagnosed is accepted only if there is a persistent increase in blood pressure on the face or frequent jumps. At the same time, different stages of hypertension manifest themselves with different strengths. In the early stages of the disease, people are usually unaware of the development of problems. Sometimes even a slight increase in temperature is paid more attention than a violation of the condition when arterial hypertension develops. Types of pathologies differ in the strength of the manifestation of symptoms and the presence in the body of concomitant diseases. In fact, even without obvious signs, hypertension is no less dangerous than when it is complemented by various disorders in the body. Signs of hypertension are: trembling of the limbs, nausea, headache, flies before the eyes. All symptoms develop due to problems with blood flow to internal organs.
stages of hypertension
The clinic of high blood pressure is divided into stages and degrees of severity according to the effect on the whole body and the strength of the accompanying symptoms. There are 3 levels. Division into stages will help the doctor to systematize the received diagnostic data and choose the right tactics to correct the patient's condition.
1st stage
Blood pressure in the 1st stage of hypertension does not exceed 159/99. This increase can last for several days. Rest will help normalize blood pressure and reduce stress. With further progression of the pathology, it will not be so easy to restore the pressure norm.
At this stage of the disease development there is no evidence that it affects target organs. For this reason, arterial hypertension is often asymptomatic. Only sometimes sleep is disturbed, implicit headaches and heart pains can develop.
When conducting clinical diagnostics, a slight increase in the tone of the fundus arteries can be noted. In the first stage of the disease, the risk of hypertensive crisis is minimal, often this situation occurs only due to the impact of external circumstances on the body. The risk also increases in women going through the menopause. The initial stage responds well to treatment. A change in lifestyle is usually sufficient for this. Medication is not always needed. With timely therapy and strict adherence to the doctor's instructions, the prognosis is favorable.
2 steps
This is the stage of active pathological changes in the vessels - severe hypertension. The pressure at the 2nd stage reaches 179/109. Rest does not restore its level. A person complains of an excruciating headache, shortness of breath on exertion, worse sleep, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
This stage is characterized by the development of the first signs of internal organs. The most common symptoms of severe hypertension are:
- signs of left ventricular hypertrophy;
- narrowing of the lumen of the arteries of the retina;
- increase in blood cholesterol levels;
- the presence of protein in the urine.
Stage 2 hypertension significantly increases the risk of dangerous complications that can lead to a stroke. It will not work without constant medical attention.
3 steps
This is the stage of target organ disorders due to abnormal changes in the arteries and impaired blood circulation throughout the body. Very severe stage 3 hypertension. The last stage of hypertension is the most severe, extensive disease that develops in the body and affects the target organs. Eyes, kidneys, brain and heart are most affected. The pressure in the 3rd stage is stable, it is difficult to normalize even with drug treatment. Often there are jumps up to 180/110 mm Hg. Art. and even more. The symptomatology is similar to that of the 2nd stage, but it is additionally accompanied by pathological manifestations of the affected organs. Memory often deteriorates, heart rate is severely disturbed, visual acuity decreases.
This stage is dangerous because it always affects the heart. Its contractility and conduction in the myocardium are disturbed.
Degree
If the blood pressure rises and the measures taken fail to have any effect, it can be assumed that the disease will progress. The optimal blood pressure is 120/80. The norm for systolic pressure is 120-129, and diastolic - 80-84. There is also high-normal pressure when a person feels good - up to 139/89 mm Hg. Art. In medicine, high blood pressure is divided into 3 degrees.
me right now
Arterial hypertension of the first degree is mild, it is characterized by pressure drops 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 organs and the central nervous system. To quell an attack, in addition to taking special pills, you need to relax a little, try to avoid stress, walks and positive emotions have a beneficial effect on health.
If the systolic pressure does not exceed 159, and the diastolic - 99 mm Hg. Art. , then the person is diagnosed with mild hypertension - the first degree. It is characterized by such signs:
- headache that gets worse with exertion;
- lancinating, painful sensation in left chest, radiating to shoulder blade and under arm;
- dizziness severe enough to cause fainting;
- acceleration of the heartbeat;
- black flies;
- ringing in the ears;
- Sleep disorders.
A person no longer notices the listed symptoms if they are constantly developing. An attack of hypertension can begin under the influence of stress and, with the right support, pass without consequences.
II degree
Hypertension of the 2nd degree begins to develop more actively. The pressure level already reaches 160/100 - 179/109. Signs of hypertensive crisis develop - cold sweats appear, goosebumps appear on the skin, the skin of the face turns red.
Symptoms of the 2nd degree of the disease include:
- transient cerebral ischemia - deterioration of blood flow to the organ;
- an increase in the concentration of creatinine in the blood;
- narrowing of the arteries in the retina;
- an increase in the size of the left ventricle;
- Protein in the urine found while doing tests;
- persistent fatigue;
- nausea;
- throbbing in the head;
- swelling of the face;
- heavy sweating;
- damage to internal organs;
- numbness of fingers;
- blurred vision;
- crises.
Medicines 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 speed of development of the disease. Second degree hypertension affects the kidneys. The patient almost always complains of being unwell.
III. Degree
The 3rd degree of hypertension is the most severe. When it occurs, vision falls sharply, memory deteriorates, tachycardia is common, and the risk of hypertensive crisis is high. Complications of this condition include thrombosis, encephalopathy, aneurysm, failure of the kidneys and left ventricle of the heart, the formation of bruises throughout the body, and swelling of the optic nerve. The pathology is irreversible. With high blood pressure of the 3rd degree, the patient absolutely needs help and care from the outside. The main signs of high blood pressure are:
- Arrhythmia;
- gait instability;
- significant visual impairment;
- violation of blood flow in the brain, provoking paresis and paralysis;
- Crisis accompanied by confusion and speech disorders;
- sharp heart pain;
- expectoration of blood;
- limitation of mobility and self-service ability;
- 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
High blood pressure is dangerous primarily because of its multiple and often irreversible complications. Most patients become disabled or die not specifically from high blood pressure, but from acute disorders in other organs caused by it.
The most dangerous conditions are ischemic necrosis, cerebral hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, kidney failure. In order to avoid various complications associated with 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 damage, e. g. B. Grade GB 2, risk 4.
Low risk (negligible)
This risk indicator for the development of hypertension complications is observed in women under 65 years of age and men under 55 years of age with mild stage 1 hypertension. Over the next 10 years, only 15% of people will develop additional cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure. These patients are usually seen by general practitioners, since there is no point in going to a cardiologist and undergoing serious treatment.
If minor risks persist, a person will need to make lifestyle changes over the next 6 months. This will lead to positive developments. If there are no results and blood pressure reduction cannot be achieved, it is recommended to change the tactics of treating the patient and conduct drug therapy.
Medium risk
This group of patients includes hypertensive patients whose blood pressure indicators are not more than 179/110. Typically, these individuals have 1-2 risk factors from the following:
- Smoking;
- Genetics;
- Obesity;
- high cholesterol concentration;
- lack of physical activity;
- limited 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 health. Within 3-6 months, drugs are not allowed to be prescribed, allowing the patient to restore health as much as possible through lifestyle changes.
high risk
This risk group includes patients with indicators of 179/110 or more in the presence of more than 2 predisposing factors. A high risk is also established for people with target organ damage, diabetes mellitus, retinal vascular disease, and atherosclerosis.
There may also be no risk factors, but people with stage 3 hypertension are at high risk anyway. You need to 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 selection of the most effective drugs should be done as soon as possible.
treatment approaches
The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce pressure and prevent consequences. Full recovery is impossible, but staging and adequate treatment will help stop the active progression of the pathology and minimize the risk of 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 tranquilizers is required. In the absence of the expected result, a combined action of several antihypertensive drugs is carried out immediately.
In a hypertensive crisis, the pressure must be reduced within an hour after the attack, otherwise the risk of dangerous complications and death increases. In such a situation, antihypertensive drugs are administered by injection or drip.
Regardless of the degree and stage of the dysfunction of the body, an important method of therapy is the normalization of nutrition, compliance with a special diet. The diet necessarily includes foods enriched with magnesium, potassium and vitamins. It is required to limit the use of salt, abandon alcohol, fried and fatty foods. With excess weight, the daily calorie content of food decreases, sugar, pastries and other confectionery are prohibited.
People with hypertension benefit from moderate physical activity - exercise therapy, swimming, walking. Even with high blood pressure, the therapeutic massage has a positive effect on well-being. Smoking is strictly forbidden, you should build up resistance to stress with the help of psychotherapeutic practices and relaxation techniques.
The effectiveness of complex therapy is evaluated according to several criteria:
- Short-term goals are to normalize the pressure to a level at which the patient is comfortable.
- Medium-term goals are the prevention of the occurrence and active development of pathologies in target organs.
- Long-term goals are to avoid complications and prolong the life of the patient.
Hypertension is a disease that is much easier to prevent than to fight throughout your life by trying to relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse systematically. The earlier the diagnosis is made and the stage of hypertension is determined, the more effective the treatment will be.