The article has been automatically translated into English by Google Translate from Russian and has not been edited.

'Weather dependence is a myth': a cardiologist debunked misconceptions about pressure, weather and coffee

'19.08.2022'

Source: Eva.ru

What to do if the indicators on the tonometer are off scale or, conversely, too low? How to find out your working pressure and when is it time to run to the doctor? Why do hypertensive patients sometimes become hypotensive? Well, about the main thing - how does the change in weather affect pressure? About it Eve.Ru said the cardiologist of the network of clinics "Family" Andrei Rozhkov.

Photo: Shutterstock

No matter what happens, we nod to pressure: our head ached, my eyes darkened, I just felt lethargic. Is it possible to determine for yourself whether this is naughty pressure or the symptoms of another disease? How to learn to feel your comfortable pressure, because the tonometer is not always nearby?

Surprisingly, high blood pressure itself is usually asymptomatic. However, there is an opinion that there are certain "wake-up calls" of increased pressure - headaches, tinnitus and so on. In the vast majority of cases, these are either concurrent conditions or have an inverse relationship (for example, a headache or increased anxiety can lead to an increase in pressure, but not vice versa).

It should be understood that, like any chronic disease, arterial hypertension can lead to a whole group of non-specific complaints (weakness, constant fatigue) due to the negative impact on the work of other organs (heart, eyes, kidneys, brain).

Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the increase in pressure without a tonometer, therefore, if there is any doubt about the state of your health, you need to measure blood pressure and pulse.

How often should you measure pressure if it doesn't bother you?

As I said, increasing pressure is an asymptomatic process. Absolutely healthy and young (up to 40 years old) people do not need any specially conducted screenings. The annual medical examination and pressure measurements, which ideally should be carried out at every doctor's appointment of any specialty, are quite sufficient.

However, there are a number of comorbid conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular events. These include male gender, smoking, alcohol abuse, overweight (so at least once a month it is advisable to stand on the scales, and every few years to measure height), increased blood sugar, cholesterol, and the presence of any cardiovascular problems (including strokes!) in blood relatives under the age of 60 years. Patients with these risk factors are advised to undergo a more detailed cardiac examination at least once a year to prevent possible complications early.

The doctor diagnoses hypertension. Is it a drug therapy for life? What you need to know about your illness? What can affect its course without crises?

In most cases, proven hypertension does indeed involve ongoing drug therapy. Sometimes it is possible in the early stages to delay the start of treatment due to lifestyle changes. This is a decrease in body weight, an increase in regular physical exertion, normalization of nutrition, smoking cessation, compliance with the regime of work / rest.

The first thing you need to know about your diagnosis is that it is a disease. Therefore, like any other disease, hypertension requires adequate treatment and prevention. The negligent attitude to his condition from the category of “everyone has pressure - and nothing” or “I have 150/100, and I feel good”, unfortunately, leads to sad consequences.

A small remark: not every increase in pressure is called a crisis. Crisis - any increase in pressure, accompanied by an acute defeat of the so-called target organs: sudden deterioration of neurological functions, vision, severe shortness of breath or pain in the heart, growing swelling, urinary retention. The vast majority of pressure increases do not require urgent measures, since the benefits of episodic pressure reduction have not been proven. At the same time, there is a risk of negative consequences from such a reduction.

If a crisis has occurred, what emergency measures can you take yourself before the ambulance arrives?

If, in addition to increasing pressure (no matter to what level), terrible symptoms occur, then this is definitely an urgent situation that requires immediate hospitalization! Therefore, the tactics of "self-pass" are completely inappropriate here. The remaining pressure rises, which most do not require immediate intervention.

If terrifying pressure figures appear on the tonometer, you must, firstly, not panic. This is not an apocalypse or a catastrophe. Check the correctness of the pressure measurement, whether there was sufficient rest after physical exertion, whether there is some kind of stressful situation, maybe you have recently smoked.

Pressure should be measured with a tonometer with a conveniently sized shoulder cuff at least 5-7 minutes after the cessation of physical activity. If you are physically inactive and the body is not trained, then the period of rest is better to extend. Measurements are preferably carried out in a sitting position, in a comfortable position, without a tight belt, keep the legs parallel to each other with support on the floor, and not crosswise. The cuff should be applied directly to the skin and do not talk during measurement. Several consecutive measurements should be made. Ideal are 3 measurements taken at intervals of 1-2 minutes.

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Was the pressure measured correctly? Does the increase still persist? If you are already taking any medications in connection with hypertension, then carefully check whether they were exactly taken? Then check again. If all is well, the drugs were taken (or not prescribed), then ventilate the room, sit quietly for 30-40 minutes and think about how soon you can make an appointment with the doctor for an examination.

Remember: by calling an ambulance for any asymptomatic increase in pressure, you can unwittingly doom another person who is in critical condition to a longer wait for help.

PS Special categories of patients, such as pregnant women, require a more rigorous approach and urgent measures, even with asymptomatic pressure increase.

Hypotonics always complain of a lack of strength and energy. How can this be fixed?

I’ll clarify: hypotonics do not always complain about a lack of strength and energy.

With habitually low blood pressure values, it is not worth taking any specific measures. It is usually quite enough to maintain regular physical activity, perhaps correcting nutrition, which is important for lovers of torturing diets. If you experience dizziness, fainting against the background of a decrease in pressure, it is better to consult a doctor, and then, with a full understanding of the diagnosis, begin treatment. Such non-specific complaints, such as lack of strength and energy, can be symptoms of any disease, so you should definitely consult a doctor.

Is the effect of coffee on pressure really that great? Or is it a myth?

There are different points of view about coffee and caffeine. Usually, all patients are advised to refrain from drinking coffee. On the one hand, many studies do show a reaction of increasing blood pressure to caffeine or coffee consumption, but these increases were not significant. On the other hand, during observational studies of people who drink coffee constantly or occasionally, no significant changes in pressure and risk of developing hypertension were shown. Moreover, a number of works indicate a positive effect of coffee on the cardiovascular system.

To answer the question “can I drink coffee”, you need to do a simple test: drink a cup of coffee (with caffeine) and take pressure and pulse measurements 3 times every 30 minutes (according to the rules indicated above). If the pressure has grown by 10 mm. rt. Art. or more, then you are likely sensitive to caffeine, so you should limit your intake of coffee or other caffeinated products. In other cases, follow the rules for the adequate use of any products.

For example, two coffee cups per day (200 mg of caffeine) can be considered the optimal amount of coffee. It is better to give preference to grain coffee, rather than instant. Do not abuse "energy" drinks, in which usually a very high concentration of caffeine (30 mg per 100 ml).

A separate topic is the connection between the changing weather and our pressure. What is weather dependence? Is it possible to somehow predict the deterioration of their condition and stop the attack, to prevent it from starting?

Meteorological dependence is a myth that is instilled in people all over the world from birth. After all, it is better to put all the blame on the weather, and not on your own lifestyle. Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure (within the framework of ordinary life, and not extreme loads), flashes in the sun, changes in the geomagnetic background of the earth do not affect well-being in any way. Sudden changes in temperature can affect pressure, for example, leaving a warm room in the cold in light clothing, but the cold snaps and warming that are mentioned in the weather forecast cannot be the causes of pressure fluctuations. Sometimes pressure indicators can be influenced by an emotional reaction to what is happening outside the window, but not by weather conditions. You just yearn and suffer looking at the hopelessly gray sky, and the pressure responds.

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Is a change from hypotonic to hypertonic or vice versa possible during life? Why does this happen?

A gradual transition from hypotension to hypertension is observed in almost all people with hypertension. There is still no unequivocal answer to the question why this is happening. It mixes genetic factors, lifestyle influences, previous diseases and much more. Therefore, in most cases, "finding the cause of hypertension", as patients often ask, is impossible.

The transition from hypertension to hypotension is possible for several reasons. For example, with the so-called secondary hypertension, when the increase in pressure is caused by renal, endocrinological or other diseases. In this case, the pressure normalizes when the underlying disease is cured. The use of drugs for hypertension also leads to a decrease in pressure. Sometimes excessive intake of drugs gives too strong an antihypertensive effect, which requires correction of therapy under the supervision of a doctor.

Perhaps the development of hypotension as a consequence of the progression of a number of diseases, such as heart failure or neurodegenerative diseases. In any case, you need to contact a specialist and discuss possible causes and measures for diagnosis and treatment.

Do people with perfect pressure exist? Is it their merit or is nature so ordered?

People with ideal pressure exist, although the higher the age, the less they are. Of course, this is a merit of both nature - genetics, the environment, and man himself - an important way of life.

The material is published for educational purposes and is not a medical recommendation. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for the consequences of self-medication and may not share the views of the author or expert.

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