Hypotension: what is it, symptoms and treatment of arterial hypotension

The normal systolic blood pressure of a person is 120, and the diastolic is 80. The lower pressure is low. This is generally accepted throughout the world. However, Russian doctors add that treatment requires pressure in men, the level of which is less than 100/60, and in women - less than 95/60.

The cause of physiological hypotension is quite often mental or physical fatigue, emotional stress, unbalanced diet, acute lack of vitamins (especially A, B and E) and microelements. The pressure can greatly decrease as a result of poisoning the body with toxic substances, due to allergic reactions.

Often, hypotension is observed in patients who adhere to a strict fast or diet, carry out therapeutic cleansing of the body, and dramatically reduce weight. Low blood pressure is a frequent companion of pregnant women. The development of hypotension can be associated with a change in weather or moving to countries with a colder or hotter climate.

Hypotension occurs in people with asthenic constitution, however, in this case it is quite insignificant and therefore practically does not bring discomfort to the patient.

Separately, it should be said about secondary (symptomatic) hypotension.. With it, a persistent decrease in pressure occurs, in which the state of health does not normalize on its own. In this case, the cause of hypotension is always a disease or pathological condition. The most common reasons for the development of secondary hypotension include VSD syndrome (vegetative-vascular dystonia).

In this case, the patient, due to a depression or constant fatigue, has a malfunction in the nervous system, which controls the work of the heart, blood vessels and arteries. Often, this condition is a symptom of congenital or acquired pathologies in the cardiovascular system (for example, atherosclerosis, heart failure). Acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (especially stomach ulcers), endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus), chronic liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis), rheumatism, anemia can lead to hypotension.

Very often, blood pressure is low with osteochondrosis, dislocations, subluxations, any injuries of the spine or skull. Patients who are taking medications or non-drug drugs that lower blood pressure (with hypertension, arrhythmias) may complain of a strong decrease in pressure.

In some cases, hypotension may indicate the presence of a chronic infectious and inflammatory process in the body.

It is worth saying that regardless of the reason that caused the decrease in pressure, the mechanism of this process is always associated with some one of four factors: a reduction in stroke and cardiac output, a decrease in circulating blood volume, a decrease in resistance peripheral vessels as a result of a decrease in their tone and elasticity (orthostatic hypotension), a decrease in the flow of venous blood to heart.

It is important to note that with any type of hypotension, the patient may experience a violation of vascular regulation by higher mechanisms - the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, as well as failures in regulation of blood pressure by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and a decrease in the body's sensitivity to adrenal hormones (primarily adrenaline and norepinephrine). Sometimes the mechanism for the development of hypotension consists in malfunctions of the afferent and / or efferent parts of the reflex arcs.

Arterial hypotension: what is it, varieties, symptoms

Many patients have been diagnosed with hypotension at least once in their lives.

What it is, and what its types are - this is the first question that interests patients in this case.

Since hypotension can be observed in absolutely healthy people, it can be a symptom of any pathological processes in the body or be an independent nosological form, there is a classification of arterial hypotension.

Traditionally, it is customary to divide it into physiological, symptomatic (secondary) or pathological (primary).

TO physiological hypotension first of all, one should be attributed that is the physiological norm for a certain person (for example, due to the constitution of the body, characterized by insufficient weight). Adaptive hypotension, which is observed in people living in too hot climates or high in the mountains, can also be attributed to this type. Physiological is hypotension of increased fitness, which occurs in athletes during intense training or in people with hard physical labor.

Pathological hypotension is usually viewed as a disease in its own right. These include orthostatic hypotension of unknown origin, as well as neurocirculatory hypotension. In both of these cases, the pathological process can be both mild and after some time pass on their own, and have vivid symptoms, characterized by long-term, chronic flow.

Secondary (symptomatic) hypotension can also be acute or chronic. Acute secondary hypotension occurs in severe conditions such as shock or collapse. Secondary hypotension is a frequent companion of chronic pathologies of internal organs, VSD syndrome and infectious processes, inflammation of the gallbladder.

In the international classification of the disease (ICD code), hypotension refers to "diseases of the circulatory system" and has a code I95. According to her, arterial hypotension is divided into orthostatic (associated with a sharp change in body position), medication-induced, chronic and idiopathic.

Now it is clear what types of hypotension exist and what it is. And what symptoms are typical for it?

The presence of hypotension can be determined even without a blood pressure measurement procedure, because in this case, patients, as a rule, experience a whole range of unpleasant symptoms, including:

• decreased performance, constant desire to sleep, lethargy, weakness, apathy;
• failures in thermoregulation (cold extremities in hot weather or sweating that occurs at low air temperatures, a slight increase in body temperature for no reason);
• increased sensitivity to changes in weather conditions;
• frequent occurrence of dull pain in the temples or forehead;
• dizziness (usually occurs with a sharp change in body position, when bending);
• accelerated heartbeat and irregularities in the rhythm of the heart;
• frequent mood swings, tearfulness, outbreaks of aggression (usually occurs due to the presence of loud sounds or bright light);
• sleep disturbance;
• feeling of lack of oxygen.

Most hypotensive patients experience paleness and dryness of the mucous membranes, lips and face. Their hair and nails become brittle, and their muscles lose their tone. Sometimes hypotension can lead to weight loss, decreased sex drive in men, and menstrual irregularities in women.

Quite often, there is a disruption in the functioning of the digestive system, which manifests itself in the form of nausea, belching, flatulence, stool disorder, intestinal colic.

Separately, it should be said about the manifestations of acute hypotension, what is it and what are its symptoms? This is an exacerbation of chronic arterial hypotension, in which, in addition to the standard poor health, the patient always loses consciousness or faints. In this case, there is a sudden violation of vascular tone, there is a disorder of cardiac and respiratory activity.

This happens, as a rule, in stuffy or hot rooms. In women, exacerbation of symptoms of hypotension may occur during menstruation. At this moment, the patient's face turns pale. He hears tinnitus, darkens before his eyes, breathing becomes shallow, and muscles lose strength. The patient gradually sinks to the ground and loses consciousness.

After providing first aid, such patients come to a more or less normal state, however, weakness and headache after that can bother them for a long time.

Arterial hypotension: symptoms and causes in children and pregnant women

In a newborn baby, the pressure level is 80/50, but as they grow up, it constantly increases. According to statistics, about 20% of children on the planet suffer from arterial hypotension. Moreover, in children aged 1-5 years, this phenomenon is extremely rare. Schoolchildren often suffer from hypotension. It should be noted that girls have hypotension much more often than boys.

In children, arterial hypotension, the symptoms and forms of which are the same as in adults, may have slightly different causes.

Arterial hypotension in children usually occurs due to hereditary predisposition, severe stress, unbalanced nutrition, some features of the psyche (fear of making a mistake in something, increased vulnerability), imbalance of hormones, the presence of chronic foci in the body infections.

Hypotension in a baby may be due to a severe pregnancy by his mother. (fetal hypoxia, threat of abortion, premature birth).

Quite often, hypotension occurs in children who have an unfavorable microclimate in the family. They usually have strict parents who prevent the child from developing in the direction in which he wants, and at the same time constantly teach him to be responsible and pedantic. Hypotension is often observed in children whose parents have increased anxiety, because it is transmitted in any case.

Children suffering from arterial hypotension are quick-tempered, crying, do poorly with mental and physical work. They are absent-minded, remember information poorly, often complain of drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and, in some cases, decreased vision. These children experience persistent apathy, as a result of which they begin to lose friends and become outcasts.

It is worth saying that hypotension in children is not a permanent course.. Exacerbations are observed at intervals. 1-2 once a month. At this time, the risk of developing fainting or light-headedness is significantly increased. They complain of flashing flies before their eyes, poor sleep and appetite. In girls, this may be present with pain in the heart.

Elimination of symptoms of arterial hypotension in children is always a difficult task that needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Family psychotherapy should play an important role in this.

It is also worth mentioning the physiological hypotension during pregnancy, because this is a very common occurrence. In this case, the reason for the development of pathology is a sharp jump in hormones. They relax the muscles of the whole body and the blood vessels, thereby lowering the pressure. This mechanism reduces the tone of the uterus, which is necessary to avoid premature birth.

This usually happens at the beginning or middle of pregnancy. If in the future the pregnancy proceeds normally, then as the birth approaches, these symptoms will gradually disappear. Another reason why a decrease in pressure may occur is the emergence of a second circulatory system - the placental one.

Hypotension is rather severe in women who had it before pregnancy, as well as in those patients who have adrenal glands malfunctioning.

To improve her condition, a woman should refuse to take hot baths, if possible, avoid stressful situations, as well as physical and intellectual overload. During this period, it is important to have a lot of rest and be in the fresh air, to follow a therapeutic diet.

Severe hypotension in pregnancy can lead to hypotonic uterine dysfunction during labor activity, to fetal hypoxia, toxicosis, spontaneous abortion, as well as premature birth. In this case, urgent medical attention is required, and in the future, taking pills and using folk remedies.

Despite the fact that the symptoms of arterial hypotension are pronounced, it can be easily confused with other diseases (especially endocrine diseases). That is why the diagnosis of hypotension can only be made by a doctor and only after an examination, during which the causes of the pathological condition are simultaneously clarified.

Diagnosis of arterial hypotension includes, first of all, a threefold measurement of blood pressure at intervals of 5-10 minutes. In addition, daily monitoring of blood pressure may be required, assessment of its changes throughout the day.

To understand what kind of (primary or secondary) hypotension the patient has, a complete examination of the endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular systems is required. This requires a blood test (for sugar and cholesterol), an ECG (at rest, as well as after exercise), echocardiography (echocardiography), EEG (electroencephalography), as well as orthostatic samples.

In addition, patients with hypotension must necessarily consult with an ophthalmologist, endocrinologist, neuropathologist and cardiologist.

Arterial hypotension: treatment, prognosis and prevention

Since fainting with arterial hypotension is not uncommon, everyone should know how to provide first aid to these patients.

First of all, the patient needs to be seated, and it is better to put on his back. Clothes that press on the patient's body should be unbuttoned (especially the collar). After that, the person's legs need to be raised so that they are just above the head, and a pillow should be placed under them. Thanks to this, the blood will begin to flow to the head as soon as possible.

After this, the patient is brought to consciousness. To do this, you can give him ammonia or vinegar to smell. If they are not at hand, plain water is also suitable, with which you need to spray the victim's face. In general, the actions may vary somewhat, depending on where exactly the person fainted. The easiest way to provide first aid is at home.

In any case, the main thing is that a person can breathe in a sufficient amount of fresh air. After providing assistance, you should call a doctor, even if the patient has already come to his senses, and his health has returned to normal. While waiting for an ambulance, you need to check the patient's pulse. After fainting, it will also not be superfluous to drink sweet tea with candy.

Treatment of arterial hypotension consists, first of all, in the elimination of those negative factors that have caused physiological changes in the body. After that, experts prescribe herbal medicines. For example, tincture of eleutherococcus, hawthorn, lemon or ginseng. These are herbal adaptogens that improve vascular tone and thus bring blood pressure back to normal.

In more severe cases, neuroprotective agents, antidepressants, and antioxidants may be prescribed. Citramon is used quite often. It effectively relieves headaches caused by hypotension. In addition, Ortho-taurine can be used. It is ideal for women who have hypotension before their period, as well as children who experience memory impairment and distraction due to hypotension.

Glycine is used to relieve irritation, normalize sleep and improve metabolic processes in the brain. To improve the psycho-emotional state, get rid of dizziness, improve performance, you should use Nootropil (Piracetam). To tone the blood vessels and muscle tissue of the patient, improve the functioning of the brain, the attending physician may recommend Saparal.

Arterial hypotension, the treatment of which consists in taking medications, can accompany the patient for many years.

Therefore, to reduce the load on the liver and improve well-being during periods of remission, instead of drugs, it is recommended to use traditional medicine:

• For example, you can take 15 g of dried lemongrass berries and grind them into powder. After that, pour 300 g of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. After the liquid boils, lemongrass berries are added to it. Boil the product over low heat for 15 minutes. Then this product is cooled and poured into an opaque container. You need to take the broth in 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
• To increase blood pressure, it is useful to eat salty, spicy and spicy foods, dark chocolate, as well as drink strong tea (especially green) and coffee. During treatment, the patient should eat a balanced diet, consume a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals.
• For the same purpose, it is useful to take lingonberry juice 1.5 cups 3 times a day after meals. According to the same scheme, 1 tbsp. l. you can also drink celery juice.
• To increase the pressure, you can use a lemon and honey remedy. To do this, grind 3 medium-sized lemons in a meat grinder and put them in a two-liter jar. After that, the lemons should be poured with 0.5 liters of boiled water and put in the refrigerator. Later 1-2 day 300 g of bee honey is added there. After that, the lemons with honey are again placed in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The finished product must be consumed in 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

To improve the patient's condition, physiotherapeutic procedures can be recommended, in particular electrophoresis with tonic substances in the collar area, massage, water procedures (especially strongly raise diastolic pressure), acupuncture and electrosleep.

The prognosis for hypotension is always favorable, because in this condition the human body does not suffer at all. Moreover, the organs of the cardiovascular system with hypotension "wear out" much more slowly than with hypertension or even normal pressure. Often, an improvement in well-being occurs immediately after the elimination of the cause of the pathology.

Those patients in whom hypotension is a consequence of a genetic predisposition to it can prevent exacerbations if they are lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and from time to time use means to tone the body on plant basis.

Prevention of hypotension consists in giving up bad habits, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, normalizing sleep and wakefulness, and proper nutrition. To prevent the development of hypotension, a person must avoid stress, mental and physical fatigue, but at the same time engage in light sports.

In order to predict the exacerbation of chronic hypotension, the patient must measure his blood pressure, after which, if necessary, treat arterial hypotension in the mildest terms.