Hypertensive crisis: classification and first aid

Various pathologies of the cardiovascular system occupy a leading position in the modern world. Meteozavisimost, obesity, regular stresses - all these factors sooner or later cause many people to go to the cardiologist with complaints of increased blood pressure. Unwillingness to treat is threatened with a heart attack or stroke. Such conditions are dangerous and can lead to disability or death, therefore, having felt the first disturbing bells, it is necessary to go for consultation to the doctor.

A little about the disease

A hypertensive crisis is a pathological condition in which there is a sharp increase in blood pressure.

It can occur at any age, but the bulk of patients account for those who have crossed the 50-year mark. Cases of crises occur often in 30 and even 20 years.

None of the cardiovascular pathologies is insured, but those suffering from pressure changes are at greatest risk.

A crisis can occur without any apparent cause or as a consequence of certain circumstances.

It is extremely important for such patients to eliminate the stimulus in time, to give the necessary preparations, and in severe cases to call an ambulance.

According to official medical data, the hypertensive crisis is the main reason for the arrival of physicians at home, and not more than 25% of people can provide timely assistance.

Varieties

Pathology can proceed in different ways. Classification of hypertensive crisis is based on the severity of the patient. It is divided into the following types:

• The first (uncomplicated). It flows relatively easily and does not pose a serious threat to the patient. May provoke dizziness, pain, chest pressure, nausea and vomiting. With displays it is possible to consult independently. To do this, you must take a horizontal position and drink the drugs recommended by your doctor.
• Second. Characterized by a heavy current. In the absence of therapy, other organs are often affected. Such a patient urgently needs emergency medical care. The most common infarction or stroke occurs in these patients. Therefore, they are recommended to monitor the health and changes in blood pressure.

Depending on the factors that caused the deterioration of well-being, the modern classification of the hypertensive crisis divides it into the following types:

1. Neurovegetative. It is not associated with any pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. Occurs as a reaction to severe stress. It manifests itself in the form of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headache. Lasts on average about 2 hours. In inpatient treatment does not need. Many who have encountered such signs were afraid of a stroke or heart attack. According to doctors, in the absence of other pathologies, there is also no risk to life.
2. Water-salt. It occurs as a result of failure in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates internal balance. The patient may be disturbed by dyspeptic symptoms, impaired coordination of movements, severe headache. This condition can last for several days.
3. Encephalopathy. It presents the greatest danger of occurrence of strokes and heart attacks. Such patients should receive emergency medical care, in the opposite case, the occurrence of epileptic seizures on the background of acute disturbance of cerebral circulation, followed by the defeat of his tissue. Often doctors do not have time to arrive on time and state the death of the patient.

What contributes to the deterioration of well-being

It often happens that after a fit of hypertension, a person can not understand what provoked it. The most common reasons include:

• A strong emotional shock;
• A sharp change in weather, in particular, fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, wind, rain, etc.;
• The use of certain foods, especially salt;
• Taking certain drugs or canceling them;
• Alcohol abuse, smoking.

According to statistics, most often the pressure rises from excessive excitement and panic, so these patients need to pull themselves together, otherwise it can lead to health problems.

Symptoms

Based on the classification of the hypertensive crisis, the clinic can significantly differ. Each person is individual and carries the increase in pressure in different ways. For one, the 180 mark is not a real threat, for the other, 130 is critical.

The most common signs of the beginning crisis include:

• Sharp deterioration of health;
• Weakness in the arms and legs;
• Unsteadiness of gait;
• Trembling all over the body;
• Headache and heart pain;
• A feeling of tightness in the chest;
• The appearance of black "flies" before the eyes;
• Violation of coordination of movements;
• Severe nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief.

If the patient is not provided with the necessary assistance, there is a considerable risk of complications that may occur:

• Fainting;
• Complete or partial paralysis;
• Speech impairment;
• Loss of vision;
• Cardiac arrest due to a heart attack.

The degree of severity and severity depends on the classification of the hypertensive crisis.

First aid

When there are alarming human symptoms, you should lay down and measure the pressure. If the indices are unsatisfactory, it is necessary to give drugs that lower blood pressure and additional funds, depending on the classification of the hypertensive crisis (sedatives, pain relievers, etc.).

Unlike antihypertensive tablets, injections act much faster, so it is preferable to do them as much as possible.

The state of health should improve after 10-30 minutes. If this does not happen within 2 hours, you must call the doctor at home.

Before an ambulance arrives:

• Slightly tilt their head back;
• Apply a cool compress to the head (on the occiput);
• Free the area of the chest.

Drinking in this period is not recommended. The flow of fluid can provoke a vomitive reflex, causing a rise in pressure.

Self-administration of medications without consulting a doctor and setting an accurate diagnosis can be dangerous.

How to correctly measure the pressure

To identify any type of classification of the hypertensive crisis, it is sufficient to have a tonometer at hand - a device for measuring systolic and diastolic pressure.

It should be in the medicine cabinet of every person suffering from this problem.

For today, there is a huge choice of such devices, they can be:

1. Mechanical.
2. Semi-automatic.
3. Automatic.
4. Mercury.

All of them perfectly cope with the main function of measuring pressure and differ in:

• Number of additional features;
• Cost;
• Technical characteristics;
• Design.

Everyone will be able to choose the most suitable option for themselves.

To obtain a reliable result in the measurement, it is necessary to remember some features of the process;

• Before the beginning it should be 10-15 minutes to rest;
• The right-handers are put on the cuff on the left hand, the left-handers on the contrary;
• The reservoir to which air will be supplied should be at the level of the heart and not too tightly fitting the shoulder to the elbow bend.

When assessing the results, it should be taken into account that the indicator from 140 top and 90 lower is exceeded, although all individually.

Hospitalization

Inpatient treatment in need of severe classification of hypertensive crises. Emergency care can often save a patient's life. After admission, the following studies will be conducted:

• electrocardiogram;
• Monitoring of heart activity by Holter;
• electroencephalogram;
• Dopplerography of vessels;
• Echocardiography;
• Ultrasound of the urinary system;
• General and biochemical blood analysis.

Therapy is selected individually, based on the results of the survey.

Prescribed medications

The selection of an effective drug regimen is carried out by cardiologists.

The most prescribed groups of drugs that eliminate the hypertensive crisis according to the WHO classification are:

1. Nitrates.
2. Calcium channel blockers.
3. ACE inhibitors.
4. Alpha-adrenomimetics.

It can be:

• "Nitroglycerine".
• "Cloffee".
• "Captopril".
• "Corinth".

Many patients may require parallel treatment with a nephrologist, oculist, pulmonologist, neurologist. They can appoint an additional appointment:

• Furosemide.
• "Magnesium sulfate".
• "Arfonada".
• "Benzohexonium".
• "Diazepam" and others.

An easy clinic and classification of hypertensive crises do not require urgent therapy. It is enough to drink a medicine previously prescribed by a doctor.

Effects

The main danger of high blood pressure is the development of severe complications. The main load falls on:

• Kidney;
• Brain and CNS;
• eyes.

A severe attack of hypertension is capable of provoking:

• Acute or chronic cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency ;
• Myocardial infarction;
• Angina pectoris;
• stroke;
• Edema and thromboembolism of the lungs.

All these diseases are extremely dangerous for life, therefore, when the first signs of an increase in pressure appear, measures need to be taken.

Doctor's recommendations

Patients who have experienced complications of hypertensive crisis, the classification of which falls under the second type, you should carefully monitor your health and follow simple rules:

• Daily measure the level of blood pressure;
• Write down the received indications in a separate notepad;
• Observe a diet;
• Every morning to do exercises, enroll in the pool;
• Not to drink alcohol;
• To give up smoking;
• Every 6 months visit a cardiologist, if necessary, other specialists.

If such a state is uncharacteristic for a person, you should still be examined. In the absence of pathologies, you must avoid strong emotional stress and stress.

Ration Restrictions

Nutrition plays an important role in recovery. The main emphasis in the diet is to reduce the caloric intake of meals.

It is necessary to exclude:

• Flour;
• Fatty;
• sweet;
• roast;
• alcohol.

It is recommended to eat more:

• Dried apricots;
• Prunes;
• Rose hips;
• Cabbage;
• Potatoes;
• Cereals;
• Greens;
• Beets;
• Black currant.

They are all rich in magnesium and potassium, which will have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, the brain and kidneys, which are organs "targets" with increasing blood pressure.

Hypertensive crises, classification, complications and emergency care are important information that will be useful to both the patient himself and his relatives. They cause a dangerous state, representing a real threat to life. Such patients should always have a blood pressure monitor and medication in their home medicine chest.

The greatest risk is faced by persons who do not know about their problems. When a sudden attack occurs, they usually do not have the right drugs, and their future depends on the timely arrival of an ambulance.