Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a chronic disease. The disease is sometimes called the “silent killer” because the person suffering from it often do not know about it.
Hypertension can cause long-term damage to blood vessels sensitive tissues such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and nervous tissue of the brain, and is one of the risk factors for heart attack, heart failure and leading risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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Criteria for diagnosis of hypertension. Normal blood pressure – 120/80 (120 systolic, 80 diastolic). People with systolic blood pressure between 120-139 and diastolic between 80-89 is in increased risk of developing hypertension in the future.
In Israel, thanks to years of experience and proper control, our physicians were able to reduce significantly the problem. Competently composed the course of treatment to help our patients maintain normal blood pressure throughout the entire time, which greatly improves the quality of life of patients and prolong life.
Two basic levels of hypertension:
Hypertension Class I – between 140-159/90-99
Hypertension Class II – more than 160/100
There are some groups, such as diabetics or patients with renal disease (eg, chronic renal failure). In these patients hypertension is considered in case of a blood pressure of 130/80. This is due to the fact that among these groups there is a high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Also known situation in which blood pressure is higher than 140/90 measured normal, but less than 125/80, as measured by Holter.
To determine whether the patient is actually high blood pressure, it is necessary to conduct two blood pressure measurements. Unable to approval of hypertension on the basis of a single test. Primary hypertension, which accounts for 90% of cases, as a rule, is the result of certain medical conditions (such as catecholamine-secreting tumors, such as pheochromocytoma, aldosteronism, etc.). Situations in which the suspected secondary hypertension is the beginning of a very relative increase in blood pressure at a young age or in old age, when the patient has symptoms of endocrine diseases or different specific disorders.
Risk factors for hypertension
Lifestyle, namely smoking, chronic alcohol use, drug abuse, eating habits, a diet high in salt or fat, obesity or abdominal obesity, lack of physical activity. All these factors are risk factors for the formation of arterial hypertension.
Gender: men are more likely to suffer from hypertension than women.
Age: men older than 55 years is a risk factor for hypertension, and women – more than 65, although hypertension often also occurs at a young age.
Various diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome.
Family background, stress, socio-economic status.
Attitude to drugs: long-term use of birth control pills, steroids, NSAIDs, amphetamines, cocaine, cyclosporine. Dietary supplements can increase blood pressure, if used in large doses.
There are certain groups of patients who have hypertension require unique medical intervention. Among them:
Pregnant women with high blood pressure. They should be carefully screened for high blood pressure because of the risk to the mother and fetus. The same applies to women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy appeared. Our physicians may recommend medications that reduce blood pressure during pregnancy.
Diabetic patients with hypertension often requires a combination of two or more drugs to achieve a pressure of less than 130/80. These drugs reduce proteinuria and help protect the kidneys.
Elderly patients (over 65 years) who are at risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Such patients to monitor blood pressure may initially be assigned to the low dose diuretics.
Diagnosis of hypertension
To determine the cause of hypertension research conducted primary standard, which includes:
1. Consultation with a specialist in internal medicine, examination and medical history.
2. Blood test
3. Echocardiography (ECHO)
4. Ultrasound carotid arteries
5. Ultrasound renal arteries
6. Consulting with cardiologist
Based on this initial assessment will be determined by the need for additional procedures and the appropriate treatment.
Prevention and treatment of hypertension
There are several ways to prevent high blood pressure or high blood pressure reduction: reducing excess weight and exercise (such as walking), reducing the use of sugar and salt, reducing smoking and alcoholic beverages, decreasing stress, DASH – approach with diet
Changing eating habits can help reduce blood pressure. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits and low fat dairy products and a limited amount of saturated fat in the menu can help lower blood pressure.
