Hypertension

Arterial hypertension can be considered a lifestyle disease of the 21st century.

It is the leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke, and is also one of the most common circulatory system disorders. When it occurs as a result of other diseases, it is considered secondary hypertension, while when the primary cause cannot be diagnosed, it is called essential hypertension. It is a chronic disease accompanied by adverse health effects and is rarely completely controlled. Therefore, it should not be ignored, as untreated hypertension progresses, leading to morphological changes. There is a real link between hypertension and the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, which can ultimately lead to myocardial infarction. Hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure in the vascular system, with systolic pressure reaching 140 mmHg and diastolic pressure exceeding 90 mmHg.

Classification of blood pressure values:

Systolic pressure Diastolic pressure

<120 and <80 – optimal

120-129 and/or 80-84 – correct

130-139 and/or 85-89 – high normal

140-159 and/or 90-99 – Stage I hypertension

160-179 and/or 100-109 – II degree of hypertension

≥180 and/or ≥110 – Stage III hypertension

≥140 and/or <90 – Isolated systolic hypertension

What affects blood pressure?

The following factors influence blood pressure:

Genetics
Stimulants
Age
Sex
Lack of physical activity
Fatigue, lack of sleep
Overweight, obesity
High cholesterol
Diet
Stress
Extreme physical exertion
Urbanization
Civilization development
Climatic conditions
Biogeographic factors

Blood pressure during a heart attack

The symptoms of a heart attack are most often associated with crushing and burning angina pain, while other symptoms are less specific. Blood pressure during acute coronary syndrome may be normal, low, or high. Blood pressure changes during a heart attack are unpredictable. Its primary cause is the occlusion of a coronary artery, which consequently leads to the death of heart cells, causing them to stop working.

High blood pressure during a heart attack

Blood pressure increases less frequently during a heart attack. Severe angina pain during acute coronary syndromes is often accompanied by anxiety, a stress stimulus that stimulates the nervous system, resulting in an increase in adrenaline. This hormone stimulates the cardiovascular system, which causes an increase in blood pressure. This is also accompanied by an increased heart rate.

Low blood pressure during a heart attack

Hypotension occurs when myocardial contraction is reduced due to myocardial ischemia. Blood pressure may also drop during episodes of acute coronary syndrome. This also depends on the extent of the infarction, as it does not occur in minor heart attacks. However, every infarction carries complications. Some of them cause severe lowering blood pressure. These are:

Rupture of the heart wall
Cardiac arrhythmias
Papillary muscle rupture and acute mitral regurgitation
Acute heart failure
Ventricular septal rupture

The most common symptoms of a heart attack are:

Chest pain, often accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting
Dyspnoea
Heart palpitations
Accelerated heart rate

It also happens that there are no symptoms at all, or, as in the case of diabetes, they are atypical. In such cases, we speak of a silent heart attack.

The impact of blood pressure on heart disease

In the case of aortic valve regurgitation, very high systolic blood pressure and low diastolic blood pressure occur. Acute regurgitation is accompanied by tachycardia. Cardiac neurosis, on the other hand, is not unfamiliar with blood pressure spikes, which cause an overreaction to stimuli. Tolerance to physical exertion, stress, or emotions decreases. Headaches, stabbing heart pain, palpitations, and excessive sweating occur. However, the most common condition is atrial fibrillation. It presents in various ways. It can be persistent or intermittent. It is also accompanied by shortness of breath, weakness, rapid heart rate, and excessive sweating.

Hypertension in pregnancy

Hypertension is a very common pregnancy disorder. High blood pressure can pose a risk to both the mother and the fetus.

Hypertension during pregnancy is divided into chronic hypertension, which is present before pregnancy, and gestational hypertension, which is present during pregnancy. It is caused by changes occurring during pregnancy and subsides after the pregnancy ends.

Blood pressure above 140/90mmHg is considered abnormal. It requires medical intervention, as it can lead to gestosis, or toxemia of pregnancy, and even proteinuria, which occurs during preeclampsia. It is accompanied by sudden spikes in blood pressure, fluid retention, which causes swelling throughout the body, and the aforementioned proteinuria. Preeclampsia causes vomiting, fatigue, headaches, and even vision problems, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and photosensitivity. Bruising is also very common, as it can occur even after minor trauma. Preeclampsia can also be caused by excessive blood volume in the vascular bed, impaired cytokine synthesis, uterine overdistension or ischemia, central nervous system hypersensitivity, or epithelial damage.

If preeclampsia is not diagnosed in time and the expectant mother receives treatment, it will result in eclampsia. Eclampsia is a condition characterized by seizures and very high blood pressure, threatening not only the fetus but also the mother's life. Hypertension can even lead to cerebral hypoxia. Furthermore, hypertension during pregnancy can also lead to blood clotting disorders, circulatory and kidney failure, liver damage, or even liver rupture.

If a mother suffers from hypertension, her unborn child may experience numerous abnormalities, including intrauterine hypoxia, placental abruption, which causes premature birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. Hypertension often results in miscarriage.

Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy

Expectant mothers can lower their risk with appropriate medications and a diet free of processed foods, MSG, and salt. However, sometimes this doesn't help, and when preeclampsia develops, doctors decide to induce labor. To monitor fetal development, expectant mothers purchase fetal heart rate monitors: FETAL HEART RATE DETECTORS

Hypertension, and the resulting threat to pregnancy, is accompanied by stress and fear for the baby's health. Thanks to the detector, you can check at any time whether your heart rate is within normal limits and experience touching moments listening to your baby's heartbeat.

Arterial hypertension – diet

The key to success is a healthy, balanced diet. Foods that prevent high blood pressure include fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meat, fish, and whole-grain bread. Uncontrolled hypertension leads to cardiovascular disease. What should you eat to normalize your blood pressure?

Hypertension and unsaturated fatty acids

Unsaturated fatty acids are essential in the daily diet because, among other things, they are essential building blocks of cells, transport lipids in the blood, exhibit platelet aggregation, and increase blood flow through the coronary arteries of the heart. They are not synthesized in the body, so they must be obtained from food. Sources of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, fish oil (from salmon, sardines, herring), cod liver oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, and others.

Hypertension and body weight

Body weight directly affects blood pressure levels. Obesity or even a slightly elevated BMI increases the risk of cardiovascular complications. Being overweight is the greatest risk factor for hypertension and metabolic disorders. Therefore, maintaining a stable weight and controlling it is crucial.

Hypertension and table salt

A small amount of salt enhances the flavor of dishes and helps lower blood sodium levels, which are responsible for regulating blood pressure. Consuming it in small amounts is not harmful to health and also has a positive effect on heart muscle contractility. However, it's worth replacing salt with aromatic herbs and natural spices.

Hypertension and alcohol and other stimulants

Smoking is particularly important for people with hypertension, as it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is also true for drug and psychoactive substance use. The same is true for systematic alcohol abuse, with limiting or, ideally, ceasing alcohol consumption directly leading to a reduction in blood pressure.

Hypertension and exercise

The correlation between fitness and health cannot be ignored. Moderate but regular physical activity has a positive impact on the circulatory system. It not only lowers blood pressure but also increases heart and lung function. Exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight, prevents diabetes, and positively affects lipid metabolism, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease. Running, swimming, and even a simple but regular walk are beneficial for both physical and mental health.

Hypertension, stress and fatigue

Hypertension is closely linked to long-term psychosocial stress, overload, and emotions such as suppressed anger, frustration, and anxiety. Lack of perspective on responsibilities, fatigue, lack of sleep, the rush of life, and the inability to rest adversely affect the nervous system.

Changing habits must also include pharmacological treatment. Nothing replaces medical advice. Disciplining yourself to maintain a healthy, hygienic lifestyle, engaging in physical activity, consuming plenty of vegetables, lean meats, and water instead of sugary drinks, and getting plenty of rest and sleep all have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and help lower blood pressure. Monitoring your blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor is also a good idea.

Sources:

Gajewski P. (ed.), Szczeklik's Internal Medicine 2015. Practical Medicine Publishing House, Kraków 2015, pp. 199–213, 238–248, 292–293.
Miyakoda H., Kitamura H., Kinugawa T., Cardiac neurosis: exercise tolerance and the role of sympathetic activity. Japan. J. Med., 1990, 29, 5: 493–499.
Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines in Hypertension 2017
Association between Systolic Blood Pressure and Dementia in the Whitehall II cohort study: role of Age, Duration and Threshold Used to Define Hypertension in European Heart Journal 2018