Lack of oxygen, loss of strength. How pressure surges affect the brain

Blood pressure is important for the normal functioning of the human body. And as soon as blood pressure disruptions begin, serious changes occur in various organs and systems of the human body. For example, many are aware that pressure causes headaches, loss of strength, etc. But people do not always think about how pressure affects the functioning of the brain. Scientists have proven that this role is direct and extremely important. Moreover, both increased and decreased values ​​have their own influence. Mehman Mamedov, doctor of medical sciences, professor, expert of the National Health League , told AiF.ru how exactly the indicators on the tonometer affect the condition of one of the main and at the same time sensitive organs of the body .

How does latent arterial hypertension manifest itself?

Doctors call hypertension the “silent killer” because of its insidiousness: the disease often occurs without symptoms and can continue this way for years. The person does not feel any rise in blood pressure; on the contrary, he leads an active lifestyle and does not complain about anything. And sometimes the attacks of “lightheadedness”, severe weakness and dizziness that occur are attributed to overwork. The asymptomatic form of hypertension is usually detected by chance, during an outpatient examination, and often not by a cardiologist, but by a therapist or other specialist. The doctor measures the blood pressure and understands that he is hypertensive.

There are quite a lot of people who do not feel surges in blood pressure (BP). At the same time, they can suffer from both primary, or essential, hypertension, the cause of which is bad habits, age, poor vascular condition, heredity, and secondary, or symptomatic, hypertension. In this case, it accompanies another serious illness - urolithiasis and other kidney pathologies, endocrine diseases (thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus and others), obesity, and heart disease. But in only one out of ten patients, high blood pressure is caused by damage to any organ. The remaining almost 90% of patients suffer from essential hypertension. Both primary and secondary hypertension may hardly manifest themselves at all. “With an asymptomatic course of the disease, doctors do not single out any specific group of patients. Both men and women can almost equally not feel pressure rises. But, since the mortality rate of men from cardiovascular diseases is higher, it is believed that they are more susceptible to arterial hypertension, which occurs without symptoms, says Elena PRASLOVA, a physician at the Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia . – Why the body does not react in any way to changes in blood pressure and for the time being does not show any signs is not known for sure; scientists have not yet established any specific reason. But most experts are inclined to believe that the reason for this is most often a physiological feature of the work of the cardiovascular system of a particular person, a kind of “game” of blood vessels, when the vessels are not in constant tone, necessary for normal blood flow.”

Of the few indirect signs indicating latent hypertension, the main one is headache. “Almost everyone complains about attacks of headaches and dizziness,” continues Elena Praslova. – Short-term pressing pain behind the sternum, palpitations, pulsation of a vessel in the temporal region, numbness of the left arm may appear. If such conditions recur periodically, it is highly likely that you are developing hypertension.”

Causes of dizziness

Neurologists have to deal every day with patients who complain of dizziness. It can be vestibular (true) and non-vestibular. Patients with non-vestibular vertigo usually complain of:

• balance disorder;
• feeling of intoxication;
• discomfort in the head;
• darkening of the eyes.

True dizziness is caused by damage to the vestibular apparatus, which is located in the inner ear. There are central and peripheral vestibular syndrome.

Peripheral vestibular syndrome is caused by damage to:

• inner ear;
• vestibular ganglion;
• eighth pair of cranial nerves.

Usually a person experiences additional symptoms. These are ear congestion, hearing loss, and tinnitus. There are no additional neurological manifestations, with the exception of signs of damage to the auditory nerve, but autonomic disorders are possible. Dizziness occurs only occasionally. The attacks never last more than a day. Between them, the person feels well and does not suffer from any symptoms.

With central vestibular syndrome, the structures of the brain are affected:

• vestibular nuclei and pathways;
• bridge;
• medulla;
• midbrain;
• diencephalic-subcortical structures.

Sometimes central vestibular syndrome is associated with damage to the spinal cord.

Symptoms do not appear in attacks, but are constant. There are no hearing disorders. The disease lasts for months and years. Additional symptoms of damage to the central nervous system are detected.

The main causes of peripheral vestibular syndrome:

• Meniere's disease;
• acute labyrinthitis;
• neuroma of the eighth cranial nerve;
• circulatory disorders in the internal auditory artery;
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Central vestibular syndrome is usually one of many manifestations of pathology of the brain or spinal cord.

Men with bad habits are at risk

Very often, arterial hypertension selects as its victims efficient, thriving, successful men under the age of 50 in their careers. In their endless worries and labors, they have no time for pressure. Only about 37% of men know about their illness (more women are aware - 58%), and only 22% of them are treated (women - 46%). Only 5.7% of men properly control their blood pressure. The result of this attitude towards one’s own health is sad: hypertension is one of the reasons for the low average life expectancy of men in Russia and the high frequency of heart attacks and strokes. The life expectancy of the stronger sex in our country is the lowest in Europe. In 2005, this figure was only 58 years, in 2009 it increased to 69 years. By comparison, in Germany, life expectancy in 2010 is 77 years for men and 82 years for women.

According to experts, the main cause of hypertension in men is their frivolous attitude towards their own health and bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking, overeating). They are ruined by excessive busyness and responsibility for everything, constant stress at work and overwork, lack of sleep and physical inactivity. There are also natural reasons for the predisposition of men to hypertension: they have greater body weight compared to women and the volume of the vascular bed and the blood circulating through it is higher, which creates favorable conditions for the occurrence of high blood pressure. They do not have a “protective” hormonal background, like women.

When to start blood pressure monitoring

It is very important to diagnose hypertension in time and identify its nature and the cause of its occurrence. Then, with proper treatment and constant monitoring of the patient’s well-being, it will be possible to avoid dangerous complications - atherosclerosis, thrombosis, aneurysm formation, deterioration or loss of vision, the development of heart and kidney failure, myocardial infarction and stroke. But with almost complete absence of symptoms, this is extremely difficult to do. Therefore, doctors insist that everyone who has entered middle age (after forty years) regularly measure their blood pressure - at least once a month, even if they feel great.

First of all, this applies to those who have poor heredity (there are close relatives with hypertension) and men. World experience in recent decades shows that, thanks to blood pressure control, it was possible to reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction by 20%, and stroke by 50%. Every modern person must have a tonometer in their home medicine cabinet - a device for measuring blood pressure. The gold standard for pressure is 120x80 mmHg. Art., plus or minus 10 mmHg is allowed. Art. in one direction or another. With numbers above 140x90 mm Hg. Art. you need to see a doctor immediately. True, a tonometer is not always at hand. “In such situations, you should focus only on your feelings. If you have a severe, pressing headache, rapid heartbeat, or a feeling of heat in the head and neck, immediately call an ambulance or have them take you to the doctor on duty. Don’t get behind the wheel yourself, recommends Elena Praslova. – If the disease is detected for the first time, it is better to undergo a full examination in a hospital setting and select drug therapy. The medications will have to be taken constantly. Many patients like to change medications or their doses on their own (increase or decrease), which absolutely cannot be done without consulting a doctor. In case of chronic hypertension, it is necessary to undergo a scheduled medical examination once every six months, which should include: general clinical blood and urine tests, biochemical blood test for cholesterol and glucose levels, echocardiography. Other examinations depend on the indications and the patient’s well-being.”

Do I need treatment?

Even if a person does not feel high blood pressure, he should still undergo a medical examination and find the cause of his hypertension. After the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment, regular use of antihypertensive drugs will be necessary to avoid complications. A routine medical examination every six months is recommended for everyone diagnosed with chronic hypertension.

Even if you do not feel high blood pressure, the doctor, having ordered echocardiography and other examinations, studied general clinical and biochemical blood tests, will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment that will prevent or slow down the development of hypertension.

There is no such thing as too much precision

A person suffering from hypertension should regularly monitor their blood pressure - at least five times a day, including at night and immediately after waking up. Self-control plays a very important role in the fight against illness: it not only helps to avoid dangerous life-threatening situations (hypertensive crisis, heart attack, stroke), but also generally disciplines the patient and improves his adherence to treatment. Today, anyone can conduct thorough blood pressure monitoring without any problems while at home or at work.

The industry produces a wide variety of devices: mechanical, semi-mechanical and automatic models. Mechanical devices require certain skills, automatic blood pressure monitors are simple, compact and convenient, and their use does not require any special knowledge and skills. Such practical and reliable models include German Tensoval electronic blood pressure monitors. Among the company's latest developments is the unique Tensoval Duo Control tonometer, which combines two methods of measuring pressure - auscultatory (Korotkoff method) and oscillometric. Both methods have their own characteristics: for example, the first is suitable even for patients with heart rhythm disturbances and makes it possible to select the correct dosage of medications, the second is recommended for people with a very quiet pulse. German engineers have combined two technologies in one device, making it possible to obtain very accurate data on the patient's pressure. Essentially, this is double blood pressure control.

When purchasing a blood pressure monitor, make sure it meets international standards, is properly adjusted and tested for accuracy. From time to time, compare your blood pressure monitor readings with results obtained from other devices, such as those used by your doctor. Inflated values ​​can also be obtained with a working device if the standard cuff is too narrow for your hand. It is not recommended to use pressure measuring devices on the finger or wrist; they do not give reliable results.

To get a reliable result:

• Measure your blood pressure in a quiet, calm environment, at a comfortable temperature, and while sitting in a comfortable position. You need to sit with a straight back, leaning on the back of a chair, with relaxed, uncrossed legs;
• you should not be wearing tight, oppressive clothing;
• Do not take the measurement immediately after eating; 1–2 hours should pass after eating. An hour before the measurement, you must refrain from smoking and coffee;
• It is not recommended to talk while measuring pressure;
• Rest for at least five minutes before measuring your blood pressure;
• Doctors are never guided by data obtained once. To obtain accurate data on the patient's blood pressure level, they take repeated measurements (at least twice, three minutes apart). You can do the same, but the pressure must be measured on both the left and right hand.

Prevention that reduces blood pressure

• eliminate the consumption of table salt or limit it to 6 g per day;
• reduce consumption of fatty and sweet foods (ice cream, chocolate, candy). The caloric content of the daily diet should correspond to the energy expenditure of the body. Products should be steamed, boiled or baked;
• exercise regularly. The load must be strictly dosed, without effort and only with full pressure compensation. For patients with hypertension, walking, swimming, Pilates, and cycling are recommended. Running, lifting weights and bending, sauna and Russian bath are excluded;
• Periodically check your blood cholesterol (lipid) and glucose (sugar) levels.

HOW DOES ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION MANIFEST:

• headache, which has no clear connection with the time of day, can occur at night or early in the morning, after waking up. As a rule, this is a feeling of “hoop”, heaviness or fullness in the back of the head. Sometimes the pain intensifies with a strong cough, tilting the head, straining, and may be accompanied by slight swelling of the eyelids and face. Improving venous outflow (upright position of the patient, muscle activity, massage) usually helps to reduce or eliminate headaches;
• pain in the heart area, different from angina attacks: occur at rest or during emotional stress; usually not associated with physical activity; last long enough (minutes, hours); do not go away after taking nitroglycerin;
• shortness of breath, which occurs first during physical activity and then at rest. Shortness of breath with hypertension indicates significant damage to the heart muscle and the development of heart failure;
• swelling of the legs, which is caused by sodium and water retention. The reason is a violation of the excretory function of the kidneys or taking certain medications. Serious edema indicates the development of heart failure;
• visual impairment – ​​fog, veils, and “spots” appear before the eyes. These symptoms are associated with functional circulatory disorders in the retina. Severe changes in the retina (vascular thrombosis, hemorrhages, retinal detachment) can be accompanied by a significant decrease in vision, double vision (diplopia) and even blindness.

Decrease in indicators

Although hypotension receives less attention than high blood pressure, it is no less dangerous for the brain. Hypotension is understood as a decrease in pressure readings below 100 by 60, in some cases they talk about numbers below 90. With low blood pressure, a person usually feels constantly tired, wants to sleep, and may feel cold. Indeed, in contrast to hypertension, the matter here is characterized by reduced vascular tone.

Hypotension affects brain function in the following ways. Due to the decreased tone of even the smallest arteries in the brain, the blood pressure in them begins to increase, the walls begin to stretch, and headaches develop. Also, due to decreased tone, problems arise with the outflow of venous blood. This problem can be especially clearly felt when sitting or lying down. A bursting headache in the morning also indicates problems with blood flow. This happens because during sleep the veins relax, blood accumulates, when a person rises from the bed, the muscles contract, blood is pushed out, the tone of the veins increases - and the head begins to hurt.

Low blood pressure also affects memory and thinking. Indeed, against the background of reduced vascular tone, blood circulation slows down, and the brain again does not receive enough nutrients. The consequence of this effect on the brain can be problems with coordination, vision, etc.

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