What is Hypertension? Hypertension Symptoms and Treatment
Hypertension is high blood pressure that can be seen at any age and may occur due to many reasons. Although it may develop due to reasons such as genetic predisposition and excessive salt consumption, the cause of high blood pressure is not clear in 95% of patients. If high blood pressure is not controlled, it can cause brain bleeding and stroke.
What is Hypertension?
When blood pressure values taken with serial measurements are above the normal range, it is called hypertension. High blood pressure causes damage to the vascular wall in the long term. Over time, blockage, enlargement or rupture of the vessels may occur due to this damage. Hypertension can disrupt blood flow to organs and tissues, causing organ failure.
The condition when both systolic and diastolic blood pressure are higher than normal is called hypertension.
Sometimes, high blood pressure that persists for a long time without any symptoms is called kidney failure. It can be an "insidious enemy" due to the damage it can cause to the brain, heart and vascular system.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
One of the following complaints: If you have one or more of them, you may have hypertension
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Visual Impairment
- Nosebleed
- Difficulty during exertion
- Urging to urinate at night
- Edema in the legs
- Sudden speech disorder
- Tingling in the face and/or body
Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension; It may develop due to genetic factors such as high salt intake, stress, obesity, hypertension in the family, diabetes, sedentary life, and inadequate consumption of elements such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. However, hypertension may also occur in diseases such as thyroid diseases, adrenal gland tumors, narrowing of the kidney vessels, aorta (main artery) stenosis, Cushing's disease, etc. Sometimes the drugs used can increase blood pressure
How is Hypertension Diagnosed?
In repeated measurements, blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg< A value above /strong> indicates hypertension. After the systemic examination, laboratory tests, cardiac electrocardiogram, echocardiography and, when necessary, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (blood pressure holter) are performed. Blood pressure measurements should be taken at rest and in a stress-free situation, without taking stimulants such as cigarettes or coffee beforehand.
Hypertension Treatment
The aim of hypertension treatment is to reduce blood pressure to 140. /90 mm Hg. But there may be a limit determined by the specialist physician depending on the patient's age and existing comorbidities (diabetes, kidney failure, coronary artery disease, etc.). Indispensable for hypertension treatment; Lifestyle changes such as salt-free diet, physical activity and weight control. It is also extremely important to start the appropriate medication for the appropriate patient. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to prevent complications caused by hypertension such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. Hypertension does not affect the quality of life of individuals who are diagnosed early and receive appropriate treatment.“There is no disease, there is a patient”Therefore, just like all other treatments, hypertension treatment is personalized. It is not right to avoid using blood pressure medications, thinking that they are addictive or have serious side effects. Contrary to what is thought, the drugs used regulate blood pressure, protect the cardiovascular system and prevent kidney deterioration. Drug treatment aims not only to control blood pressure but also to protect other organs.
Treatment of Resistant Hypertension
Today, there are many effective anti-hypertensive drugs. Although 3-4 of these drugs are used simultaneously and in appropriate doses, We can talk about resistant hypertension in patients whose blood pressure cannot be controlled. In such a case, it is necessary to reconsider various diseases that cause high blood pressure (stenosis in the renal vessels, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's, etc.). If these conditions are detected, they should be treated with appropriate methods. In patients who cannot be controlled despite all these treatments, renal denervation or a new method, carotid artery pacing, may be considered. In renal denervation, blood pressure is reduced by burning the nerves around the kidney vessels. In the carotid artery pacemaker, a stimulating device similar to a pacemaker stimulates the pressure-sensitive nerves (baroreceptors) in the carotid artery region and blocks these nerves, and effective blood pressure can be achieved within 2-3 months.
- I recently had my blood pressure measured and it was high. Do I have blood pressure?
It is natural for every healthy person to have blood pressure rise in stress situations such as pain, excitement, fear, and after exertion. These individual increases do not indicate that the person has high blood pressure.
To diagnose hypertension, it is necessary to follow the blood pressure with serial measurements.
- My blood pressure is very high, but I do not feel it. Will this cause any harm to the body?
Sometimes, patients whose blood pressure gradually increases may not have any complaints or the patient may not feel it. Having no complaints does not mean that hypertension does not harm your body. Even if the patient has no complaints, it is necessary to reduce blood pressure to normal levels in order to prevent organ disorders that may occur in the future.
- Do Garlic and Lemon Juice Lower Blood Pressure?
It has been known for a long time that some natural substances cause limited decreases in blood pressure. However, these are not sufficient to treat the disease and eliminate the effects of the disease. There is no alternative to medications, but there is no harm in using them as an aid.
- Do blood pressure medications cause addiction? Can I stop taking hypertension medications?
Hypertension medications are not addictive. Diagnosed with hypertension The treatment of the asta lasts a lifetime. In patients who have reached their ideal weight after lifestyle changes and whose blood pressure can be controlled with diet, if there is no organ damage, the medication can be discontinued and monitored.
- Does blood pressure increase when coming to the doctor?
This condition called "white coat hypertension"is a phenomenon we encounter very frequently. For this reason, self-taken blood pressure measurements are more valuable than measurements taken in hospital and clinic settings.
- Do hypertension medications reduce sexual activity?
All medications have possible side effects. Some blood pressure medications also have such a side effect. Your doctor will tell you; The doctor will recommend a medicine that is suitable for your age, close to ideal and has the lowest side effect profile, taking into account your existing diseases. If any side effects occur, other alternative medications can be switched to. Side effects caused by medications will disappear after discontinuation of the medication.
- What should be the lifestyle of a hypertension patient?
Salt must be included in the diet of hypertension patients. its use should be limited. It is also extremely important for a person to reach and maintain his ideal weight. It should be ensured that stress is avoided and, if necessary, professional support is sought. Smoking and alcohol consumption should also be prevented.
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