Hypertensive disorder
Arterial pressure should be measured while the patient is lying down, and after they have rested for several minutes. The patient must feel calm and relaxed.
Arterial pressure is measured by using an apparatus called a sphygmomanometer or a blood pressure meter, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. The sphygmomanometer is composed of an inflatable cuff to collapse and then release the artery under the cuff in a controlled manner, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure.
It is always used in conjunction with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just starting, and at what pressure it is unimpeded. Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope. The cuff must first be fully deflated and it is placed in the bottom third of the arm above the elbow.
Following this, one uses the pump to inflate the cuff and block the circulation in the arm, or until the manometer marks the 160-170 mmHg mark.
Following this, one begins to slowly deflate the cuff, and the pulse gradually returns, which can be heard by using the stethoscope. The first pulse heard beating indicates the maximal pressure (systolic pressure), and as the first beat disappears, this indicates the diastolic (minimal) pressure.
This procedure should be repeated three times as a rule of thumb, and an average of all three measurements is taken. It is wise to measure the pressure on both arms, at least for the patient’s first visit, since values are usually higher when measurements are conducted on the right arm.
This is done because there are many patients who have vascular anomalies, and due to this, the variation of pressure in both arms is too high.
It is of distinct importance to measure arterial pressure even when not at the doctor’s office, under different circumstances.
If the patient has been experiencing high arterial pressure, treatment cannot be immediately initiated. This is because physicians cannot immediately distinguish whether hypertension has begun or not.
The patient is recommended to measure their arterial pressure over the course of 7 to 10 days, from once up to twice a day, plot the data on a graph and show their physician.
Following this, the physician must decide whether treatment is necessary or not.
Hypertensive disease is characterized by a spike in maximal pressure, which is also called systolic pressure, or the rise of minimal pressure (diastolic) above normal values. Usually it is the systolic pressure that rises more so than the diastolic.
Factors that affect the onset of symptoms include constitutive genetic factors, neurogenic factors, environmental factors. And other factors like age and gender, profession, smoking, and intoxication.
Simple lifestyle changes can often help reduce high blood pressure (hypertension), although some people may need to take medication as well. Whether medication is recommended depends on your blood pressure reading and your risk of developing problems such as heart attacks or strokes.
High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking.
The diagnosis of arterial hypertension is usually made by evaluating the values of arterial pressure, and assessing whether or not they are above what is considered ‘normal’. This criterion defines which individuals face increased risks for heart and blood vessel damage.
Arterial pressure should be measured while the patient is lying down, and after they have rested for several minutes. The patient must feel calm and relaxed. Arterial pressure is measured by using an apparatus called a sphygmomanometer or a blood pressure meter.
Secondary hypertension is a type of hypertension which is caused as a consequence of another condition. Patients suffer from arterial hypertension randomly. Following the appropriate examinations, it is discovered that this type of hypertension is caused as a result of another disease.
Diseases and conditions which may cause secondary hypertension are hypertension caused by kidney disease, renovascular hypertension, hypertension due to endocrine disease, hemodynamic hypertension, hypertension caused by pregnancy, hypertension due to consumption of contraceptive substances.