Hypertension is one of diseases of the cardiovascular system involves violations at tertiary level central nervous regulation, associated with neuroendocrine dysfunction, and renal mechanisms. It includes a large group of symptoms and syndromes. A significant threat to human life are the complications of hypertension.
Assessment of the degree of the risk of complications
The degree of the risk of complications is determined by the presence of precipitating factors and the severity of the disease. It is determined by the presence of changes in other organs and systems (target organs) that develop due to vascular disease and high blood pressure. Distinguish the following degrees:
- Against the background of high blood pressure is no change in the target organs.
- Their moderate changes: thickened and changed the wall of the heart, disorders of the kidneys, decreased vision.
- Changes in target organs expressed, at high risk of complications, or they have already occurred.
Changes in target organs and blood vessels begin long before the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. Even regular or a small but permanent increase in blood pressure leads to changes in the heart, kidneys, eyes. The presence of complications have occurred, as in Grade 3, only aggravates the risk of recurrence of.
Provoke complications of hypertension may be the following factors:
- male gender;
- menopause, menopause in women;
- age over 40 years;
- high cholesterol;
- hormonal imbalance;
- disorders of carbohydrate metabolism (diabetes);
- genetic predisposition;
- obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- intense physical activity;
- sleep disturbance and fatigue;
- psycho-emotional overstrain;
- severe stress;
- alcohol abuse, smoking.
The more risk factors a person has, the greater the likelihood of complications and adverse outcome. Diabetes mellitus is one of the complications, but its presence can lead to changes in blood vessels, exacerbating current hypertension.
The list of complications
Risk of hypertensive disease - complications that can lead to irreversible changes in the body. These include:
- hypertensive crisis;
- stroke;
- atherosclerosis;
- coronary heart disease;
- myocardial infarction;
- renal failure;
- violation of visual function;
- diabetes;
- decreased potency (erectile dysfunction).
The severity of each of complications depend on physiological characteristics of the organism and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Hypertensive crisis
Hypertensive crisis is characterized by a sharp rise above the blood pressure 180/110 mm Hg. Art. Not all patients feel symptoms, while continuing to engage in the usual chores. This provokes krizovoe disease and target organ damage occurs. Crisis - a complication that significantly exacerbates the hypertensive disease and leads to other adverse effects.
The main manifestations:
- headache;
- heart palpitations;
- nausea, vomiting, single;
- discomfort in the chest, in the region of the heart;
- fear of death;
- feeling short of breath;
- dizziness.
May provoke a crisis emotional turmoil, chronic stress, overwork. Frequent attacks developed against the background of the lack of adequate treatment, the development of uncontrolled form.
Stroke
The type changes depends on kind of stroke. Hemorrhagic lesion is due to vessel rupture and bleeding into the cranial cavity, ischemic - spasm or blockage of the arteries, and therefore the area of the brain due to a lack of nutrients dies. The outcome of this complication in hypertension depends on the type and speed of care. The sooner measures are taken, the higher the probability of recovery of brain functions.
symptoms:
- pale skin;
- sharp excessive sweating (sweat cold);
- Body temperature drops, one notes the chills, then fever;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness, fainting;
- violation of the heart rate;
- muscle cramps;
- numbness and impaired motor activity in one side of the body (from the injury);
- facial asymmetry (imbalance, one side ptosis).
Hemorrhagic stroke is considered to be more aggressive, as the formed hematoma, putting pressure on adjacent brain structures disposed.
Atherosclerosis
The mechanism of formation of atherosclerotic plaque involves complex biochemical processes that result in abnormal accumulation of lipid compounds in the lumen of the vessel. Impeded blood flow, degree of blood supply to organs, develops anoxia. Atherosclerosis leads to ischemia, stroke and heart attack. Completely remove the existing changes in the blood vessels can not be, but under the doctor's recommendations, you can suspend the process, prevent further aggravation.
Coronary heart disease
It develops predominantly in men, characterized by changes in the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. As a complication of hypertension, it is not acute or urgent condition. Progresses slowly, the initial stages are asymptomatic. Due to lack of blood flowing food infarction is broken, and oxygen deficiency leads to the development of pain. Pain or angina - the main manifestation of coronary heart disease. Is localized in the heart, it is able to sweep under the shoulder blade, neck, stomach less. The man did not immediately realize that the heart aches.
The first attacks of angina occur during sudden movements, intense physical exertion. If untreated, or due to a rapid worsening of the underlying disease become uncontrolled, occurring even at rest, during sleep.
myocardial infarction
Prolonged ischemia (lack of power) of one of the myocardium lead to his death. If a person in a short time was in the hospital or intensive care unit, it would carry out emergency surgery to restore blood flow. Dead heart cells do not regenerate, but there is the cessation of further spread of necrosis (death). Over time the lesion after myocardial scarring, permanent change and can not be adjusted.
to recognize a heart attack you can on the following grounds:
- sharp pain in the heart, often shooting under the shoulder blade, neck, tongue;
- feeling of breathlessness, wheezing, combined with the shortness of breath (inhale surface);
- discomfort in the left side of the chest and behind the sternum,
- Cutting pain in the left half of the body, arm and shoulder;
- anxiety, inner panic.
Previously complication in hypertension was a fatal heart attack, resulting in more than 70% of patients to death. The possibility of extending the life is possible because of the advanced technology in cardiac surgery.
kidney failure
Filtration of blood plasma, followed by isolation through the urine and the liquid waste substances is carried out by an abundant vascular plexus within the renal parenchyma. Possible complications of the disease, implying a breach in the vessels, leading to reduction in permeability physiological blood volume through the glomeruli filtration. The person gradually increase lower limb swelling, increased shortness of breath.
Violation of visual function
Fundus changes initially only visible when a special study. Later, at a more pronounced developmental disabilities people will be celebrating:
- double vision;
- decreased visual acuity;
- flashing "flies";
- appearance of local spots;
- rapid eye fatigue.
Krizovoe hypertension can lead to retinal detachment and even a complete loss of vision. Violation of visual function - a consequence of hypertension, however can stop the deterioration only due to the pressure correction numbers via antihypertensive (pressure reducing) agents.
Diabetes
The true causes of diabetes are far from the direct effect of high blood pressure. Violation of carbohydrate metabolism, as a complication of hypertension, is characterized by its deterioration. These two states for mutually exacerbate each other. Control blood pressure and the risk of adverse consequences is difficult with increased blood sugar levels and vice versa.
Reduced potency
Male erectile function depends on blood circulation in the genital organs. Due to blood filling the corpora cavernosa of the penis becomes elastic and increased in size. When arterial patency tackle this process is disrupted, it manifested uncontrolled impotence.
How to prevent complications
The main danger for the development of an unfavorable outcome of hypertension has increased pressure. The more severe hypertension, the complications are life-threatening. The main struggle with the risks of adverse effects of essential hypertension is reduced to the normalization of blood pressure indicators, strengthen the vascular wall and the overall strengthening of the body.
Basic preventive measures involve:
- compliance with work and rest, restful sleep;
- regular walks in the fresh air, at least 1.5 km per day (adinamii prevention - sedentary lifestyles);
- balanced and good nutrition: the exclusion of oils, fatty meats;
- Active sports clubs, swimming pools;
- the fight against obesity;
- rejection of bad habits.
For each patient, the doctor selects an individual treatment regimen. The patient must be observed all the recommendations and go to diagnostic and preventive screening for symptoms and complications without obvious symptoms.
