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 seen in people 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 the 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 vessels. At the moment the heart contracts, there is an increase in pressure (systolic indicator), and at the moment the organ relaxes, there is a decrease in blood pressure (diastolic indicator). Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system. This may be an independent pathology or a consequence of diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands and other organs. Hypertension is most often diagnosed in men and women over 65 years of age.
Symptoms of hypertension
The 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 experience disorders of the nervous system and kidneys. In people suffering from hypertension, an increase in pressure may occasionally occur, and the rest of the time the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Symptoms and signs:
- Dizziness and headaches;
- Sensation of pulsation in different parts of the body, such as the back of the neck and temples;
- Feeling of "fog in the head", decreased 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 the hands and face.
Other symptoms depend on the causes and complications of hypertension. These may be symptoms 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 include obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable heredity, 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 functions of these organs play an important role in regulating the cardiovascular system. Secondary hypertension can develop against the background of chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, adrenal tumor and other pathologies;
- Thyroid gland diseases. This organ secretes hormones necessary to regulate the functioning of the body;
- Metabolic and blood diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis;
- Chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- Hereditary factors that cause dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- Pathologies 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 recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will avoid negative consequences for your health.
Why choose a professional clinic?
- Treatment is carried out in accordance with clinical guidelines
- Comprehensive assessment of the nature of the disease and treatment prognosis
- Modern diagnostic equipment and own laboratory
- High level of service and balanced pricing policy
Diagnosis of hypertension in a modern clinic
If symptoms of hypertension appear, make an appointment with a cardiologist. The clinic's doctor questions the patient about complaints and studies the 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. The cardiologist confirms the presence of pathology by history, external signs, and also by 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, allowing to exclude situational (natural) hypertension. The doctor measures blood pressure in a calm environment. Before this test, you should avoid physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking certain medications. The cardiologist measures the pressure in both arms by placing a tonometer cuff 2. 5 cm above the elbow. For convenience, the patient can lie down or stand up. The study is carried out at intervals of 2 to 5 minutes to obtain various indicators and determine the average level of blood pressure;
- General and biochemical blood test. The cardiologist refers the patient to this study to detect the factors of hypertension. In the treatment room, the nurse treats the patient's antecubital fossa 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 a blood sample. The proportion 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. Urinalysis in the laboratory allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of renal filtration and identify inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
- Electrocardiography is a study of the electrical activity of the heart, which allows the causes and signs of the disease to be detected. During the procedure, the doctor asks the patient to lie on their back and attaches sensors (electrodes) to different parts of the body. Then the cardiogram is collected and deciphered;
- Ultrasound examination of the heart is the safest method of examining the heart, allowing the detection of pathological changes in the organ, such as thickening of the walls of the left ventricle. The doctor asks the patient to lie on their back and presses the transducer against the skin to obtain an image of the heart on the monitor.
The modern professional clinic has a laboratory that allows doctors to carry out 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 hypertension.
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 that aims to normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system, eliminate the symptoms of hypertension and prevent dangerous complications. 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 specialist professionals helps to significantly improve the quality of life.
Treatment methods for hypertension:
- Prescription of thiazide diuretics. These are diuretics that stimulate the kidneys to remove more fluids from the body. The doctor prescribes these medications to eliminate swelling and normalize blood pressure;
- Prescription of ACE inhibitors. These medications are used to suppress vasoconstrictors and reduce blood pressure. Additionally, these medications are prescribed to treat the underlying cause of hypertension associated with kidney disease;
- Use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. The cardiologist prescribes these medications to suppress the activity of factors that constrict blood vessels;
- Use of calcium channel blockers. These medications relax the muscles of the vascular walls and slow the heart rate, thereby reducing blood pressure;
- Use of alpha and beta blockers. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes medications from these groups to reduce heart rate, relieve the load on the heart and dilate blood vessels;
- Use of aldosterone antagonists. The main effect of these medications is the improvement of kidney function, which manifests itself 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, the clinic's cardiologist takes into account modern standards for the treatment of hypertension. To monitor treatment, the doctor regularly prescribes laboratory and instrumental tests. Endocrinologists, nutritionists and other doctors, if necessary, prescribe additional methods of treating hypertension.
Prevention of hypertension
The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.
Prevention methods:
- Improve your diet, including avoiding fatty, very salty and fried foods;
- Give up alcohol and cigarettes;
- Reduction of body weight and 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 tests to detect risk factors for hypertension.