Contents
Hypertensive crisis is one of the most dangerous and common complications of hypertension. This condition is a serious threat to the health and life of the patient and requires emergency care, which must be provided to the victim as quickly as possible. Hypertensive crises occur in approximately one percent of patients who suffer from arterial hypertension, and the duration of a hypertensive crisis can vary from several hours to even several days.
General concept and symptoms
A hypertensive crisis is a sudden increase in blood pressure. For each patient there are individual indicators at which he will have symptoms of a hypertensive crisis. Some people experience a sharp deterioration in the condition when the systolic pressure rises to 160 mm Hg, while others experience a deterioration in health at levels above 200 mm Hg.
Hypertension is a disease that often develops in postmenopausal women. Also, a hypertensive crisis appears in diseases that are accompanied by symptomatic hypertension (pheochromocytoma, kidney disease, diabetes, etc.). Predisposing factors for increased blood pressure are usually: stress; sudden change in weather and climatic conditions; frequent use of alcohol; discontinuation of antihypertensive drugs.
Among the most common symptoms of a hypertensive crisis, it is worth noting: the sudden appearance of a feeling of fear, anxiety; hyperemia, swelling of the face; the appearance of fever, tremor; cold sweat; blurred vision; vomit; headache; cardiopalmus.
Hypertensive crisis – first aid
As a rule, all cardiologists try to educate their patients suffering from hypertension in the primary actions necessary at the onset of a hypertensive crisis.
However, many themselves know how to cope with this dangerous condition, and do not even seek medical help. Sometimes the development of a hypertensive crisis may be the first manifestation of the development of hypertension, which people did not know about before.
So, what needs to be done as an emergency in the development of a hypertensive crisis:
- It is important to move the patient to a sitting or horizontal position and ensure maximum peace, silence.
- Be sure to provide fresh air by opening a window and freeing your neck.
- It is extremely important for the patient to breathe correctly. To this end, he is recommended to take a few deep slow breaths and exhalations.
- Unfortunately, in this situation, an increased sense of anxiety can only contribute to a further increase in blood pressure. To calm the patient, you can give him a tincture of Corvalol or Valerian or another sedative and sedative. Panic is not only a bad ally in a hypertensive crisis, but also in any other emergency.
- Place a cold towel or ice pack on the patient’s forehead. Slightly above the feet and on the back of the head, you can place mustard plasters for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- If the crisis is provoked by the transition from one antihypertensive drug to another, it is recommended to take a drug that lowers blood pressure. Also, if the patient experiences severe pain in the chest, severe shortness of breath, it is recommended to take half a tablet of nitroglycerin and, of course, call the ambulance team.
While waiting for the arrival of the medical team (if necessary), it is important to take one nitroglycerin tablet at least ten minutes apart (no more than three tablets should be taken at a time).
In this case, it is necessary to measure blood pressure every twenty minutes. If blood pressure, despite the measures taken, does not decrease, and the general condition of the patient worsens markedly, it is necessary to urgently seek emergency medical help.
In some cases, the crisis will be stopped only by the introduction of intravenous or intramuscular drugs, which are prescribed by the doctor, based on the general condition of the patient. Sometimes, in the presence of complications of a crisis, urgent hospitalization is required.
Causes and types of hypertension
Hypertensive crises are divided into uncomplicated and complicated. An uncomplicated crisis most often occurs with hypertension of the first and second stages. Antihypertensive therapy quickly helps to improve the patient’s condition and normalize blood pressure.
Complicated hypertensive crisis is typical for patients with hypertension of the second or third stage. The most common complication is hypertensive encephalopathy, which initially causes transient headache, dizziness, and other signs of HC. Over time, the symptoms of encephalopathy progress, which can lead to stroke, cognitive impairment, and other disorders associated with cerebrovascular disease. In addition, patients may develop acute renal failure, myocardial infarction, etc.
Prevention of a hypertensive crisis
A crisis is, in fact, a complication of hypertension, therefore, prevention includes recommendations for people with hypertension: lifestyle changes (normalization of weight, adherence to an antihypertensive diet, cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption, adequate exercise); fulfillment of doctor’s prescriptions for the treatment of hypertension; preventive examination by a cardiologist or therapist at least once every six months; regular monitoring of blood pressure; treatment of diseases accompanied by symptomatic arterial hypertension.
In order to avoid the manifestation of dangerous complications of a hypertensive crisis, the patient himself must control blood pressure, as well as record the indicators in a special diary.
It is equally important to follow the recommended doses of those antihypertensive drugs that are prescribed by the doctor, because literally 1 omission of important medications can cause a dangerous jump in blood pressure.