The fact that there is a diagnosis of hypertension is thought of only when there is a persistent increase in blood pressure in the face, or frequent jumps occur. At the same time, different stages of hypertension manifest with different intensities. In the early stages of the disease, people are often unaware of problems developing. Sometimes even a slight rise in temperature gets more attention than a violation of the condition when high blood pressure develops. Types of pathology differ in the strength of the manifestation of symptoms and the presence of concomitant disorders in the body. In fact, even in the absence of obvious signs, high blood pressure is no less dangerous than when it is supplemented with various disorders in the body. Signs of hypertension include: limb tremors, nausea, headaches, flies in front of the eyes. All symptoms develop due to problems with blood flow to the internal organs.
stages of hypertension
The clinic of hypertension, according to the effect on the whole body and the strength of accompanying symptoms, is classified into stage and severity. There are 3 steps. The division into stages helps the physician to systematize the diagnostic data obtained and choose the correct tactics to correct the patient's condition.
1 stage
The blood pressure level in the 1st stage of hypertension does not exceed 159/99. This increase may persist for several days. Rest will help normalize blood pressure, eliminating stress. With the progression of the pathology, it will not be so easy to restore the pressure norm.
At this stage of the disease's development, there are no signs that it has an effect on target organs. For this reason, high blood pressure is often asymptomatic. Only sometimes sleep is disturbed, implicit pains in the head and heart may develop.
When performing clinical diagnoses, a slight increase in the tone of the fundus arteries can be established. In the first stage of the disease, the risk of a 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 during menopause. The initial phase responds well to treatment. For this, a lifestyle change is usually enough. Medicines are not always necessary. With timely therapy and strict adherence to the doctor's instructions, the prognosis will be favorable.
2 stages
This is the stage of active pathological changes in the vessels - severe hypertension. The pressure in the 2nd stage reaches 179/109. Rest does not restore your level. A person complains of excruciating headaches, shortness of breath on exertion, worsening sleep, dizziness, and an increased heart rate.
This phase is characterized by the development of the first signs of Organs internal organs. The most common symptoms of severe hypertension are:
- signs of left ventricular hypertrophy;
- narrowing of the lumen of the retinal arteries;
- increased blood cholesterol;
- the presence of protein in the urine.
Stage 2 hypertension significantly increases the risk of dangerous complications that can lead to a stroke. Without constant medical treatment, it will not work.
3 stages
This is the stage of target organ disorders due to pathological changes in the arteries and impaired blood flow throughout the body. Very severe hypertension in the 3rd stage. The last stage of hypertension is the most serious, extensive disorders develop in the body, affecting target organs. The 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. There are often jumps of up to 180/110 mm Hg. Art. and even more. The symptomatology is similar to that which occurs in the 2nd stage, but in addition it is accompanied by pathological manifestations of Organs affected organs. Memory often deteriorates, heart rate is greatly disturbed, visual acuity decreases.
This phase is dangerous because it always affects the heart. Its contractility and impulse conduction in the myocardium are disturbed.
Degrees
With the increase in blood pressure and the absence of the effect of the measures taken, it can be assumed that the disease is progressing. The ideal blood pressure level is 120/80. The norm for systolic pressure ranges from 120 to 129 and diastolic from 80 to 84. There is also a normal high pressure when a person feels well - up to 139/89 mm Hg. Art. In medicine, hypertension is classified into 3 grades.
i degree
1st degree arterial hypertension is mild, characterized by drops and fluctuations in pressure from 140/90 to 159/99. The risk of crisis in this situation is minimized, there are no symptoms of dysfunction of other organs and nervous system. To suppress 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 pressure - 99 mm Hg. Art. , then the person is diagnosed with mild hypertension - the first degree. It is characterized by such signs:
- headaches that get worse with exertion;
- stabbing, feeling of pain left in the chest, radiating to the shoulder blade and under the arm;
- dizziness so intense that it can lead to fainting;
- acceleration of the heartbeat;
- black flies;
- buzz;
- sleep disorders.
A person fails to notice the symptoms listed if they constantly develop. An attack of hypertension can start under the influence of stress and, with proper assistance, passes without consequences.
II degree
2nd degree hypertension begins to develop more actively. The pressure level is already reaching 160/100 - 179/109. Signs of a hypertensive crisis develop - cold sweat appears, goosebumps appear on the skin, the skin on the face turns red.
Symptoms of 2nd degree 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, which is found during exam delivery;
- persistent fatigue;
- nausea;
- pulsations in the head;
- swelling of the face;
- intense sweating;
- damage to internal organs;
- finger numbness;
- blurry vision;
- crises.
Medications 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 rate of disease development. Second degree hypertension affects the kidneys. The patient almost always complains of malaise.
grade III
The 3rd degree of hypertension is the most severe. When this occurs, vision drops dramatically, memory worsens, tachycardia occurs frequently, and the risk of a hypertensive crisis is high. Complications of this condition include thrombosis, encephalopathy, aneurysm, kidney and left ventricular heart failure, bruising throughout the body, and swelling of the optic nerve. The pathology is irreversible. With 3rd degree hypertension, the patient necessarily needs outside help and care. The main signs of hypertension are:
- arrhythmia;
- gait instability;
- significant visual impairment;
- violation of blood flow in the brain, causing paresis and paralysis;
- crisis, accompanied by confusion and impaired speech;
- sharp pain in the heart;
- blood sputum;
- mobility limitation and self-service capacity;
- 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.
Rating by risk factors
Hypertension, first of all, is dangerous because of its multiple and often irreversible complications. Most patients become disabled or die not specifically from high blood pressure but from the acute disturbances in other organs it causes.
The most dangerous conditions are ischemic necrosis, brain hemorrhage, heart attack, kidney failure. 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, for example GB 2 grade, risk 4.
Low risk (negligible)
This risk indicator for developing complications from hypertension is seen in women younger than 65 years and men younger than 55 years with mild stage 1 hypertension. In the next 10 years, only 15% of people will develop additional heart and vascular disorders due to hypertension. These patients are usually seen by general practitioners, as it makes no sense to visit a cardiologist and implement serious treatment.
When minor risks still persist, the person needs to make lifestyle changes within the next 6 months. This will lead to positive developments. If there are no results and a decrease in blood pressure cannot be achieved, it is recommended to change patient management tactics and implement drug therapy.
average risk
This group of patients includes hypertensive patients whose blood pressure indicators are not higher than 179/110. As a rule, these people have 1 to 2 risk factors of the following:
- smoke;
- genetics;
- obesity;
- high concentration of cholesterol;
- lack of physical activity;
- impaired glucose tolerance.
In 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, medications may not be prescribed so that the patient can restore as much health 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. In addition, a high risk is defined for people with target organ damage, diabetes mellitus, retinal vascular disorders, and atherosclerosis.
There may also be no risk factors, but people with stage 3 hypertension are at high risk anyway. They must be treated by a cardiologist. The risk of complications is 30%. Lifestyle normalization is only used as an additional tactic in the context of taking specially selected medications. The choice of the most effective drugs should be carried out as quickly as possible.
treatment approaches
The main goals of treating hypertension are to reduce blood pressure and prevent consequences. Complete recovery is impossible, but appropriate staging and treatment help to stop the active progression of the condition and minimize the risk of a 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, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and sedative agents is necessary. In the absence of the expected result, a combined effect of several antihypertensive drugs is carried out at once.
In a hypertensive crisis, it is necessary to reduce the pressure within an hour after the attack, otherwise the risks of dangerous complications and death increase. In such a situation, antihypertensive drugs are used by injection or drip.
Regardless of the degree and stage of dysfunction of the body, an important method of therapy is the normalization of nutrition, the observance of a special diet. The diet necessarily includes foods enriched with magnesium, potassium, vitamins. It is necessary to limit the use of salt, give up alcohol, fried foods and fatty foods. With obesity, the daily calorie content of the diet decreases, sugar, sweets and other confectionery products are prohibited.
People with hypertension benefit from moderate physical activity - exercise therapy, swimming, walking. Massage therapy also has a good effect on hypertension well-being. Smoking is strictly prohibited, you must develop 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 the normalization of pressure to a level where the patient feels good.
- The medium-term goals are to prevent the occurrence and active development of pathologies in target organs.
- Long-term goals are to prevent complications and prolong the patient's life.
Hypertension is a disease that is much easier to prevent than to fight it for life, trying to alleviate the symptoms and avoid a systematic worsening of the condition. The earlier the diagnosis is made and the stage of hypertension determined, the more effective the treatment will be.