I. What is hypertension?
Hypertension (hypertension) is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased arterial blood pressure (systolic and/or diastolic) in the body circulation [systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg], which may be accompanied by functional or organic damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs. Although the blood pressure of normal people fluctuates within a certain range with changes in the internal and external environment, the fluctuation range is within normal values (systolic blood pressure 90-140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 60-90 mmHg).
Second, is hypertension and hypertensive disorders the same concept?
The answer is no, hypertension is divided into primary hypertension (i.e. hypertensive disease) and secondary hypertension, in which the cause of the rise in blood pressure is not clear is called primary hypertension (i.e. hypertensive disease), can find the cause is called secondary hypertension.
Third, who are vulnerable to hypertension?
1, hypertension in the family;
2, long-term mental tension, excitement, anxiety, noise or bad visual stimulation;
3, older people, especially those over 40 years old;
4, unreasonable dietary structure, such as high-fat and high-salt diet, heavy alcohol consumption;
5, smokers;
6, prolonged use of certain drugs, such as birth control pills, hormones, anti-inflammatory painkillers;
7, the influence of other diseases: obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome, thyroid disease, renal artery stenosis, renal parenchymal damage, adrenal occupational lesions, pheochromocytoma, other neuroendocrine tumors, etc.
IV. What are the manifestations of hypertension?
The symptoms of hypertension vary from person to person. In the early stage, the symptoms may be asymptomatic or insignificant, and the blood pressure may rise only after exertion, mental stress and mood swings, and return to normal after rest. As the course of the disease lengthens, blood pressure rises significantly and continuously, and various symptoms gradually appear. Common clinical symptoms include headache, dizziness, lack of concentration, memory loss, numbness of the limbs, increased nocturia, palpitations, chest tightness, and weakness. When the blood pressure suddenly rises to a certain level, it may even cause severe headache, vomiting, palpitations, vertigo and other symptoms, and in severe cases, confusion and convulsions. If the sudden and severe increase in blood pressure is not actively treated, serious damage and lesions to the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs will occur within a short period of time, such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, etc.
The clinical manifestation of secondary hypertension is mainly about the signs and symptoms of the primary disease, and hypertension is only one of its symptoms. The elevation of blood pressure in patients with secondary hypertension may have its own characteristics, such as hypertension due to aortic constriction may be limited to the upper extremities; the increase in blood pressure caused by pheochromocytoma is paroxysmal. Long-term poor blood pressure control is prone to hypertension-related complications, such as cerebrovascular accidents (cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage), hypertensive heart damage, hypertensive fundus lesions, hypertensive retinopathy, hypertensive nephropathy, which in turn show related symptoms.
V. What are the diagnostic criteria for hypertension?
In the absence of anti-hypertensive drugs, adults with blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic on three consecutive or non-same days are considered hypertensive. A person with a history of hypertension who is currently using antihypertensive medication and whose blood pressure does not reach these levels should also be diagnosed with hypertension. The classification of hypertension can be seen in the following chart
VI. If elevated blood pressure is found, what tests should we do and what complications should we screen for?
If the diagnostic criteria for hypertension are met, we recommend an early hospital visit to screen for risk factors and related complications. Routine tests include routine blood, urine, kidney function, blood glucose, lipids, potassium, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, fundus, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, etc.
Seven, the choice of hypertension patients to lower blood pressure?
For patients with mild hypertension without risk factors and related target organ damage, they can be observed after changing their living habits and dietary habits, and if their blood pressure is still high, they need to consider oral medication, and the choice of medication needs to be formulated by cardiovascular specialists after screening for risk factors and complications at the hospital. Many hypertensive patients need to take more than 2 antihypertensive drugs at the same time to achieve satisfactory blood pressure control, and most hypertensive patients need to gradually lower their blood pressure to the target level within a few weeks. Do not blindly pursue to reach the target in the short term, resulting in too rapid and excessive drop in blood pressure.
Do I need to take antihypertensive drugs for life?
Patients with hypertension usually need lifelong antihypertensive treatment. If the diagnosis of hypertension is correct, termination of treatment will sooner or later return the blood pressure to the pre-treatment level. After treatment to achieve the target blood pressure, long-term medication is required, and regular follow-up of blood pressure, monitoring of other risk factors and changes in cardiovascular disease, appropriate adjustment of medication according to the situation, regular medication, and the type of antihypertensive drugs used should not be changed frequently.
Nine, hypertension in addition to drugs also need to pay attention to what matters?
Be open-minded and optimistic, pay attention to the combination of work and rest, prevent cold and keep warm, actively participate in cultural and sports activities, quit smoking and alcohol; reduce the intake of salt and fat, it is generally recommended that the daily salt intake is less than 6g, and eat more vegetables rich in vitamins.