Why can blood pressure be high and are there ways to deal with the problem?
Why can blood pressure be high and are there ways to deal with the problem?
High blood pressure is also called hypertension or arterial hypertension. The WHO estimates that 1.28 billion people aged 30 to 79 years suffer from this condition worldwide. In Russia, according to Rosstat, there are 18.5 million people.
What blood pressure is considered high?
After measurement, blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:
● The top number is systolic blood pressure (SBP). It shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pushes out blood.
● The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure (DBP). It shows the pressure when the heart muscle relaxes. This is the minimum pressure in the arteries.
Blood pressure is considered normal when SBP is 120-129 mm Hg and/or DBP is 80-84 mm Hg. There is also normal high blood pressure - SBP is in the range of 130-139 mm Hg, and DBP is 85-89 mm Hg.
Hypertension is when blood pressure is constantly above threshold values. There are several degrees of the condition:
● Stage 3 hypertension - SBP over 180 mmHg, DBP over 110 mmHg.
Most people with hypertension have no obvious symptoms. That's why the condition is called the "silent killer." The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured.
Why blood pressure may be elevated
Doctors note that there are factors that increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. Some of these can be influenced to reduce your chances of developing hypertension. These include:
● high-salt diet,
● high-trans-fat diet,
● overweight or obesity,
● smoking,
● lack of physical activity,
● stress,
● drinking large amounts of alcohol.
The unalterable risk factors for developing hypertension, that is, those that a person cannot influence in any way, include age over 65 and hereditary predisposition.
Most people have high blood pressure that is not related to a specific cause. But there are cases when hypertension appears due to another disease. For example, renal failure or Cushing's syndrome.
Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
Hypertension is the main risk factor for vascular and heart disease. Because of it, a person may face a deterioration in the quality of life and dangerous conditions:
● Heart failure. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder. Because of this, it can become enlarged and have difficulty pumping enough blood and oxygen to other organs. The condition can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.
● Myocardial infarction is a life-threatening condition in which the blood flow to the heart is suddenly stopped. This is usually due to accumulation of cholesterol and other substances in the coronary arteries.
● Stroke is an acute disruption of blood supply to the brain.
● Atherosclerosis is a buildup of plaque in the arteries, making it harder for blood to circulate.
● Visual impairment. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the eyes.
● Sexual dysfunction. In men, high blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction and in women, it can lead to decreased sex drive.
How to treat high blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, you should see a doctor. He will measure your blood pressure several times, ask about your lifestyle and existing illnesses. The doctor will also refer the patient for an ECG and other examinations, and will also assess the cardiovascular risk category. This is the probability of developing a dangerous cardiovascular disease within 10 years.
After this, the doctor will determine whether there is hypertension and at what stage, and will also suggest options for blood pressure control.
Lifestyle change
Doctors recommend that absolutely all people with hypertension lead a healthy lifestyle. To do this you need:
● Reduce the amount of salt in your diet to 5 grams per day.
● Give up alcohol.
● Eat more vegetables, fruits, fish and nuts.
● Strive to normalize body weight.
● Be physically active: walk, run, swim, ride a bike.
● Quit smoking.
These recommendations help improve the course of the disease and prevent complications.
Medicines
The doctor selects drug therapy for each patient individually. The doctor relies not only on blood pressure readings. Cardiovascular risk category and comorbidities are also important.
Depending on the situation, your doctor may suggest one or more medications. The following groups of drugs are considered the main drugs for the treatment of hypertension.
Diuretics
They remove excess water and salt from the body, reducing the amount of fluid in the blood. There are several classes of diuretics: thiazide, loop, potassium-sparing. Which one your doctor prescribes depends on your blood pressure and comorbidities.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Help prevent constriction of blood vessels. These include, for example, captopril and benazepril.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
They also prevent constriction of blood vessels. This group of drugs includes losartan and valsartan.
Calcium channel blockers
They prevent the penetration of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This allows the blood vessels to relax and expand, and the heart to contract less frequently.
One such medicines is amlodipine. The marketing authorization for it was received by GEN Farma Rus LLC. This confirms that the medicine is safe for patients. In pharmacies the medicine will be available in dosages of 5 and 10 mg under the trade name Amlodicor.
This medication helps prevent cardiovascular complications. It is usually taken once a day. But since it can act for a long time - 52 hours, it is convenient if a person forgets to take a pill.
Amlodipine is prescribed to patients with arterial hypertension and stable angina, both alone and in combination with other medicines, to enhance the antihypertensive effect.