Hypertension

Cardiovascular pathology characterized by high blood pressure is called hypertension. This disease is treated by cardiologists, therapists, neurologists and nephrologists.

High blood pressure or essential hypertension is a persistent increase in blood pressure. Temporary increases in blood pressure can be observed in humans during exercise, stress, and other conditions to which the cardiovascular system adapts. A person with high blood pressure has a constant rise in blood pressure. Doctors mention headache, shortness of breath, chest pain and pulsation palpable in the temple as typical symptoms of the pathology. Without treatment, chronic high blood pressure can be complicated by diseases of the heart, kidneys, brain and other organs.

This disease is treated by a cardiologist and a therapist

Blood pressure is caused by the movement of blood through the blood vessels. At the moment the heart contracts, there is an increase in pressure (systolic indicator), and at the moment the organ relaxes, the blood pressure decreases (diastolic indicator). Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system. It can be an independent pathology or a consequence of diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands and other organs. High blood pressure is most often diagnosed in men and women over the age of 65.

Symptoms of hypertension

The manifestation of high blood pressure depends 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 primarily experience nervous system and kidney dysfunction. People with high blood pressure may occasionally experience increased pressure, the rest of the time the 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 the temples;
• "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;
• Redness of the face;
• Swelling of the hands and face.

Other symptoms depend on the causes and complications of high blood pressure. These can be symptoms of brain dysfunction, visual impairment or pathology of another organ.

Causes of high blood pressure

Cardiologists distinguish between primary (essential) hypertension, which is detected in most cases, and secondary hypertension, which occurs as a complication of other diseases. Doctors classify obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable heredity, atherosclerosis, bad habits and improper diet as risk factors for the development of the disease. An increase in 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 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 the 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 causing 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.

Ask for a consultation

If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you consult your doctor. Timely consultation prevents negative consequences for health.  

Why choose a professional clinic?

1. The treatment is carried out in accordance with clinical guidelines
2. A comprehensive evaluation of the nature of the disease and the prognosis of treatment
3. Modern diagnostic equipment and our own laboratory
4. High level of service and balanced price policy

Diagnosis of hypertension in a modern clinic

If symptoms of high blood pressure appear, a cardiologist should be consulted. The doctor of the clinic asks the patient about the complaints and studies the anamnestic data in detail to identify the risk factors of the disease. Then a primary examination is carried out, which includes a general examination, listening to the heart (auscultation) and measuring blood pressure with a tonometer. The cardiologist confirms the presence of pathology with anamnesis, external signs, and repeated detection of systolic pressure above 150 mm. rt. Art. and diastolic pressure above 95 mm. rt. Art. After that, the doctor prescribes further tests to determine the cause and form of the disease.

Applied diagnostic methods:

• Dynamic blood pressure measurement, which makes it possible to rule out situational (natural) high blood pressure. The doctor measures the blood pressure in a calm environment. Before the examination, you must refrain from 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 comfort, the patient can assume a lying or standing position. The test is performed at intervals of 2-5 minutes to obtain several indicators and determine the average blood pressure level;
• General and biochemical blood test. The cardiologist gives the patient a referral for this test to detect the factors of high blood pressure. In the treatment room, the nurse treats the patient's antecubital cavity with an antiseptic, clamps the arm in the shoulder area with a tourniquet, and takes blood with a syringe. In the laboratory, specialists determine the level of lipids, creatinine, hormones, glucose and potassium in the blood sample. They also determine the proportion and amount of blood cells;
• Urine test. The doctor explains to the patient how and when to fill a sterile container with urine. Laboratory urinalysis allows evaluating the effectiveness of kidney filtration and identifying inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
• Electrocardiography is an examination of the electrical activity of the heart, which allows the detection of the causes and signs 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. The cardiogram is then collected and deciphered;
• Ultrasound examination of the heart is the safest way of examining the heart, which allows the detection of 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.

The professional modern clinic has a laboratory that allows doctors to conduct modern research and quickly obtain reliable diagnostic results. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes the patient an examination of the brain, kidneys and other organs affected by high blood pressure.

Treatment of high blood pressure

When prescribing treatment, the clinic's cardiologist focuses on the diagnostic results and the patient's condition. An individual regimen is prescribed, the goal of which is to normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system, eliminate the symptoms of high blood pressure, and prevent dangerous complications. In addition to drug therapy, the cardiologist must prescribe a diet that is necessary to improve the functioning of blood vessels and kidneys. Compliance with the prescriptions of specialists significantly improves the quality of life.

Treatment methods for high blood pressure:

• Prescribing thiazide diuretics. These are diuretics that stimulate the kidneys to remove more fluid from the body. The doctor prescribes these drugs to eliminate swelling and normalize blood pressure;
• Prescribing 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 high blood pressure associated with kidney disease;
• Use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. The cardiologist prescribes these drugs to suppress the activity of vasoconstrictor factors;
• Use of calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax the muscles in the blood vessel walls and decrease the heart rate, thereby lowering blood pressure;
• Use of alpha and beta blockers. If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes drugs from these groups to reduce heart rate, ease the load on the heart and dilate blood vessels;
• Use of aldosterone antagonists. The main effect of these drugs is to improve kidney function, which is manifested in increased fluid and salt excretion. Thanks to this effect, blood pressure decreases;
• Prescribing additional drug therapy, including renin inhibitors, lipid-lowering drugs, sedatives, and vasodilators.

When prescribing an individual treatment regimen, the cardiologist of the clinic takes into account the modern standards for the treatment of high blood pressure. In order to monitor the treatment, the doctor regularly prescribes laboratory and instrumental tests. Endocrinologists, nutritionists and other doctors prescribe additional methods of treating high blood pressure if necessary.

Prevention of high blood pressure

The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.

Prevention methods:

• Improving your diet, including avoiding fatty, overly salty and fried foods;
• Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes;
• Weight reduction 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 perform tests to detect risk factors for high blood pressure.