Blood tension is the pressure exerted by the heart over the arteries, with each contraction (maximum or systolic blood pressure) and with each relaxation (minimal or diastolic blood pressure) so that the blood can circulate through them reaching each organ. Hypertension is a chronic disease, which can go unnoticed, and in which the heart performs overexertion to exert its pumping function.
– Normal blood pressure is considered if the maximum is between 120 and 129 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and the minimum between 80 and 84 mm Hg.
– It is normal-high if the maxim is between 130 and 139 mm Hg and the minimum between 80 and 89 mm Hg. It requires surveillance.
– If, when measuring the blood pressure, the maximum is above 140 and/or the minimum above 90 we are facing a hypertension box.
That overexertion is harmful and can be the cause of consequences such as cerebrovascular diseases, heart failure, cardiovascular disease or renal failure. It may appear at any age but is usually detected more frequently after 40 years.
Causes of arterial hypertension
Many factors
Most cases of arterial hypertension is of unknown cause and is called ‘essential hypertension’. However, factors that influence arterial hypertension such as:
– Arteriosclerosis.
– The amount of sodium and water in the body.
– The state of the kidneys.
– The nervous system.
– Hormonal levels.
It is considered ‘secondary arterial hypertension’ if it appears by:
– intake of a medicine.
– Chronic renal disease.
– Adrenal gland disorders.
– Hyperparathyroidism.
– Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
– Obstructive sleep apnea.
There is a greater risk of arterial hypertension if:
– There are family history.
– Diabetes is suffered.
– Continuous stress is suffered.
– There is obesity or overweight.
– There is little potassium in the diet.
– There is sedentary lifestyle.
– Take too much alcohol (more than one beer, a glass of wine or a pacifier of a 40% alcohol graduation liquor per day).
– Consume too much salt.
– Consume illegal drugs.
– Smoked.
Symptoms of arterial hypertension
Normally asymptomatic
The usual thing is that arterial hypertension is asymptomatic. In fact, it is called ‘silent disease’. In its silent form, changes at macrovascular and microvascular level in the blood flow due problems in the nervous system.
It should act urgently if there are symptoms such as:
– Strong headache.
– Nausea and/or vomiting.
– Changes in vision.
– Nasal bleeding.
– Confusion.
– Pain when walking.
– Impotence (in men).
Diagnosis of arterial hypertension
Measurement
Many times arterial hypertension is detected during a routine measurement in the primary care consultation, in a visit to the emergency room or with domestic measurement thanks to a tensiometer at home.
In the consultation the doctor can use the auscultatory method, using a stethoscope and an inflatable bracelet connected to a pressure gauge to measure the pressure; o The oscillometric method using a calibrated and validated automatic tensiometer. In some cases a measurement will be made with a Holter to monitor the heart rate for a minimum of 24 hours while the patient makes normal life.
Other tests that the option will be requested are: blood and urine analysis and an electrocardiogram.
Treatment and medication of arterial hypertension
Changes in lifestyle and life medication
After diagnosis, the first guideline that the doctor will contribute are a series of changes in the lifestyle that includes:
– Do not smoke.
– Relaxation.
– Rest well.
– Control alcohol intake.
– Control body weight and volume.
– Do exercise.
– Follow a cardiosaludable diet that reduces salt and foods rich in it, that has olive oil as the main fat, which prevails the intake of birds, rabbit and fish to the detriment of red meats, and that is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts.
The objective of lowering blood pressure levels must be completed at the pharmacological level with: Tiazide diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (hormones that cause vasoconstriction), angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, alfishrs , literabetabloqueadores, beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists, renin inhibitors, vasodilators and central action agents.
It is crucial to maintain compliance in the intake of medicines and always take them following the indications. If hypertension cannot be controlled with the therapeutic and lifestyle of life, then it is ‘resistant hypertension’. Then doctor and patient should identify the possible causes and see what therapeutic approach can be raised.
Arterial hypertension prevention
Early measurement
Follow a balanced and healthy diet, regular moderate exercise, good hydration, avoid stress, rest well, not smoking, avoiding alcohol, controlling body weight and volume … are the fundamental guidelines for prevention against arterial hypertension. However, it is also positive to measure blood pressure regularly since the age of 16 and, if there is a family history, from pediatric age.
To perform the blood pressure self -medication, it is necessary to have a approved tensiometer and always do it at the same time of the day in the same arm. Do not drink, smoking, eating, nor exercise during the previous half. You have to stand about five minutes before measuring. If the tensiometer is arm, the sleeve must be placed about three centimeters above the elbow. If it is a doll, you have to put the doll at heart.
Do not talk during measurement, nor cross our legs nor have anything that oppresses our arm. It is convenient to make three consecutive measurements with a two -minute interval between them. The first measurement is discarded and the average of the second and third must be obtained. The results are pointed out to have a record and, if they are atypical, to be able to show them to the doctor.
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