The dangers of smoking for people with high blood pressure

I believe we are all very aware of the dangers of smoking. There are quite a few common diseases that have a lot to do with smoking. Even if the cause of the disease is not smoking, but after the disease, you should quit smoking before it is too late, hypertension is one of them. However, many patients do not take this seriously and still stick to the habit of smoking. This article will talk to you about smoking and hypertension, and I hope that after reading this article, people with hypertension should quit smoking in time.

Consequences of smoking for people with high blood pressure

I can tell you clearly that if a person with high blood pressure smokes, it will have a detrimental effect on his or her condition. It is a proven statement that smoking is harmful to your health, and you should quit smoking before it is too late, whether you are a hypertensive patient or not. In the case of hypertensive patients, it may continue to aggravate their condition, thus causing more serious effects.

Smoking are harmful to people with high blood pressure

• First. The effect on blood pressure levels. When the body inhales cigarettes, tar, nicotine, and other substances will enter the liver for metabolism. If you smoke for a long time, the liver is not able to metabolize the toxins completely, and then the toxins may be deposited in the blood vessels. At this time, the viscosity of the blood may increase, resulting in stagnation, causing an increase in blood pressure.

• Second. Cigarettes contain substances that may cause sympathetic, central nervous system, a certain amount of stimulation, when the body may produce catecholamines. This substance may accelerate the contraction rate of small arteries, and the blood pressure value will increase. In addition, the patient's heart contraction speed will also be accelerated, the body's blood volume may be reduced, the same will also appear to increase blood pressure.

• Thirdly. The effect of antihypertensive drugs. As we all know, after suffering from this disease, patients need to take drugs for a long time to ensure that their blood pressure is controlled within the normal range. But patients who adhere to the medication, if there is a habit of smoking, the body's sensitivity to the drug will be reduced. At this time, even if the amount of medication remains unchanged, the blood pressure will be difficult to control, and the only way to ensure that the blood pressure is worthy of stability is to increase the amount of medication.

What are the possible safety risks for people with high blood pressure who smoking?

It can be seen that patients with high blood pressure should not smoke. The impact of smoking on patients with hypertension, not only in terms of blood pressure but some safety risks will also increase, which should never be ignored, the following will take you to understand.

1, easy blood vessel blockage, increase the risk of sudden death

People suffering from hypertension, their blood vessel situation is relatively poor, and if you smoke, will only make the blood vessel situation worse. At this time, due to increased blood viscosity, there may be a risk of blood vessel blockage. If this happens in the cardiovascular system, the blood does not flow back to the heart in time, and the heart does not get enough oxygen and nutrients. If such a phenomenon is not improved for a long time, the heart function will gradually weaken, and the risk of sudden death may increase at this time.

2、Increase the risk of stroke

For patients with hypertension, their blood pressure levels rise, the pressure in the blood vessels itself is relatively large. As mentioned above, if a hypertensive patient smokes, the blood pressure value will continue to rise, so the pressure in the blood vessels will also continue to rise. At this point, our cerebral blood vessels may break down, thus causing a hemorrhagic stroke.

In addition, smoking for people with high blood pressure may also have increased blood viscosity, causing the phenomenon of blood vessel blockage, which is likely to cause an ischemic stroke if the blockage of cerebral blood vessels occurs. Many people may find that this is the same as the pathogenesis of stroke, except that patients with hypertension who smoke have a higher risk of developing the disease, so we should be cautious.

3. Increase the risk of other types of diseases

We should be clear that even if you are not a hypertensive patient, if you smoke for a long time, it will have a great impact on your health. It may lead to the prevalence of other types of diseases, typically lung diseases, cancer, etc. Cigarettes enter the body through the respiratory tract, which naturally affects lung health, and the lungs are stimulated by cigarettes for a long time, which naturally increases the risk of disease.

In addition, nicotine in cigarettes has long been classified as a carcinogen by the WHO, because it may cause cell damage, thereby increasing the risk of cellular mutations. At this time, normal cells in the body may develop into cancer cells, and when the body's immunity decreases, cancer cells may develop in a big way, thus leading to the occurrence of cancer.

Many people with hypertension, may have the habit of smoking, and usually, when they are told that they need to quit smoking, they will have various reasons to get back at you. But this is a fluke of people. By introducing you above, I hope to give you a warning to all hypertensive patients.

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3 main causes of high blood pressure

1. What is the exact principle of the increase in blood pressure caused by salt?

• The main component of salt is sodium chloride. Sodium and chloride ions are found in the extracellular fluid. Potassium ions are normally found in the intracellular fluid acting to maintain homeostasis. With an increase in sodium and chloride ions, the extracellular fluid increases due to changes in osmotic pressure, the resulting water, and sodium retention, the increase in intercellular fluid and blood volume, along with an increase in return blood volume, ventricular filling volume, and output, and an increase in blood pressure. 
• In the extracellular fluid sodium ions increase, the concentration gradient of sodium ions inside and outside the cell increases, so that the intracellular sodium ions increase, and the intracellular sodium ions increase, which leads to cell swelling, and the smooth muscle cells of small artery wall swelling, on the one hand, can narrow the lumen and increase the peripheral resistance; on the other hand, the small artery wall reacts to the blood constricting substances (such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, angiotensin) increase, leading to Small arteries spasm, and then the resistance of small arteries throughout the body increases, prompting an increase in blood pressure.

Salt restriction is beneficial, both from the perspective of treatment and prevention of hypertension patients.

Data on the relationship between salt and hypertension worldwide show that salt intake and sodium urinary excretion (an indirect response to sodium intake) are positively correlated with hypertension, that is, the higher the salt intake, the higher the blood pressure level. For patients with hypertension, salt restriction can be helpful. It has been proven that in the early stages of hypertension or mild hypertension, salt restriction alone can bring blood pressure back to normal. In severe hypertension, restricting salt intake not only improves the efficacy of other antihypertensive drugs but also leads to a reduction in the dose of antihypertensive drugs, which can greatly reduce the side effects of antihypertensive drugs and drug costs.

People only need 0.5 grams of sodium chloride per day to meet their physiological needs, but in fact, the daily salt intake of people in daily life is more than 10 grams. According to the data, the average blood pressure level of the population is related to salt, and the incidence of hypertension is high in areas with high per capita salt intake. Areas with low per capita salt intake have a low relative incidence of hypertension. It should be noted that only 1/3 of patients with hypertension experienced a decrease in blood pressure after strict salt restriction, indicating that there are two types of hypertensive patients, salt-susceptible and non-salt-susceptible and that the increase in blood pressure due to excessive salt intake is mainly reflected in salt-susceptible individuals.

2. There is an indirect relationship between hypertension and weight. 

It can be said that weight affects the incidence of hypertension. The excess fat in the body of people with high body weight is large, and the distribution of a large amount of fat in the vascular parts of the body and heart parts gives rise to local vascular compression or compression, which can easily make the blood circulation abnormal and cause abnormal blood pressure.

Overweight, obesity is one of the important causes of hypertension.

The incidence of hypertension in obese people, significantly higher than in lean people, and the degree of obesity of a person is proportional to the incidence of hypertension, it can be said that half of the people who have more than moderate obesity will get hypertension, and obese people have a greater chance of suffering from hypertension compared to their normal-weight peers, the impact of obesity on hypertension, is through increased blood volume load, the insulin resistance, changes in peripheral resistance vessels, the renin-angiotensin system in the body, changes in atrial natriuretic hormones, and differences in steroid hormones, all of which play an important role in the development and exacerbation of hypertension. Obese people have thicker subcutaneous fat, which will make the capillaries expand greatly and increase blood volume, and the blood circulation volume also increases relatively, thus increasing the blood volume load, and the heartbeat out volume increases greatly under the normal heart rate, and the heart and blood vessels are overburdened for a long time, which will induce the left heart hypertrophy and lead to the increase of blood pressure.

Weight and hypertension show a clear relationship

Excessive weight gain indicates that the patient's fat content is relatively high, this population is easy to lead to primary hypertension, and like men's waist circumference > 90cm, women's waist circumference > 85cm, is also related to obesity hypertension. For people with hypertension, if their weight is excessively high, they must actively control their weight. Generally speaking, the body mass index is recommended to be below "24kg/m2", which is the minimum standard and does not meet the standard of overweight. Patients should also actively control their weight, generally by limiting dietary intake and exercising appropriately, and they must keep their blood pressure within a good range before exercising.

3. Long-term alcohol consumption is prone to cause hypertension.

Alcohol has a vasodilating effect. Many people say that drinking alcohol relaxes the mind, and many people's emotions are soothed after drinking alcohol, in which case it will make our blood pressure lower to some extent. What is the reason for this? Is it possible that drinking alcohol can lower blood pressure? It is not true.At the beginning of drinking alcohol, the arteries of the whole body expand and the blood volume relatively decreases, and at this time, the blood pressure is often measured to below. Although the heart rate increases and cardiac output increases, the resulting increase in blood pressure is not enough to offset the vasodilating effect. However, the vasodilating effect of alcohol is not long-lasting, and thereafter, blood pressure gradually returns to its previous state. The use of alcohol in this way to lower blood pressure is unreliable, and drinking alcohol can only briefly relieve our inner emotions.

The dangers of alcohol abuse are even greater, such as somatic symptoms and psychiatric symptoms. Alcohol abuse by patients can lead to various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, gout, etc. It affects the health of the patient, especially the damage to the patient's body, which may further aggravate the patient's somatic diseases.

In addition, long-term heavy alcohol abuse can also lead to psychiatric problems, especially after alcoholism, such as agitation, temper, tremors, thirst for alcohol, and other symptoms of dependence, in addition, after withdrawal often appear physical discomfort, such as tremors, sweating, or hallucinations, delusions and other content, therefore, in clinical alcoholism is very large social problems, psychological problems.

Studies have shown that one glass a day is good for the heart and also raises the level of a type of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the body called benign cholesterol, but this beneficial protective effect immediately disappears once you drink more than two glasses of alcohol. So make sure you control it and don't get greedy.

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The dangers of asymptomatic hypertension

Hypertension is a common and frequent disease. 

Hypertension generally develops slowly and patients are often asymptomatic in the early stages or only have symptoms such as dizziness, headache, palpitations, tinnitus, etc. On the surface, it appears to be an independent disease, but in fact, it is an important risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal pathologies.

Having hypertension and not feeling it does not mean there is no damage. 

In the early stages of hypertension, some physical symptoms are not easily detected, such as spasms of fine arteries throughout the body, and as the disease progresses, the fine arteries gradually harden. 

Medium and large arteries develop intimal lipid deposits, forming atherosclerotic plaques and thrombi. 

This change, mostly in the coronary arteries, cerebral arteries, renal arteries, so that hypertension does not have symptoms, does mean no harm, it will slowly destroy the patient's heart, brain, kidney organs, known as the "invisible killer" health.

Clinical data show that about 50% of young adults with hypertension are asymptomatic or have occasional dizziness, headaches and other atypical symptoms, many people do not know they have the disease. Not knowing, not paying attention, plus busy work all day and night, taking care of the family, often delayed until the condition out of the deterioration of the medical treatment. But by this time, there is often already damage to heart and kidney function or even stroke and heart attack, leading to disability, death, and some other consequences.

Patients who develop symptoms of hypertension tend to be more conscious of seeking help from their doctors and actively treating them. However, patients with asymptomatic hypertension have poor medical compliance even if they know they have hypertension, and do not treat it or do not adhere to it.

Patients with asymptomatic hypertension, especially young people, should figure out that the danger of hypertension lies not in the presence or absence of symptoms, but the fluctuation of blood pressure levels.

If left untreated for a long time, the harm of hypertension will be maximized. Persistently high blood pressure can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and aorta, eventually leading to serious complications such as brain hemorrhage, heart failure, and kidney failure, which can seriously affect health and even life. Therefore, hypertensive people are recommended in the diet to "coarse tea and light meals", often eat some coarse food, often drink some free tea, can play a better prevention and treatment effect, while strengthening sports, to learn to regularly measure blood pressure, the best conditions at home with their sphygmomanometer, pay attention not to measure blood pressure after exercise, this situation is a normal blood pressure rise.

Causes of non-compliance in patients with hypertension

To understand the reasons why patients with hypertension do not follow the medical diet

I surveyed 190 patients with hypertension, and the results are reported as follows:

1. Eligibility conditions:

A. It meets the DIAGNOSTIC criteria of WHO for hypertension and has no cognitive dysfunction.

B. A total of 190 patients were enrolled, including 86 males and 104 females, aged 18-81 years.

C. Educational level: 53 cases were junior middle school, 77 cases were senior high school, and 60 cases were junior college or above;

D. Place of residence: 102 in cities, 88 in towns;

E. 118 cases with duration ≤10 years, > 72 cases at 10 years;

F. Access to health education: 62 cases had received systematic health education, 93 cases had learned some relevant information by reading newspapers and magazines and watching TV, and 35 cases had not received health education or only knew some simple knowledge.

2. Questionnaire survey 

The self-designed questionnaire was used for the survey.The questionnaire consists of two parts. 

• The first part is the general information of the patients, that is, gender, age, education level, and time of illness. Health education and compliance with the medical diet. 
• The second part is the questionnaire about the reasons why hypertensive patients do not follow the medical diet. 

The questionnaire includes 8 items, each item is answered by "yes" and "no". The full-time nursing staff will issue the questionnaire, and the patients will fill in the form independently or with the assistance of their family members under unified guidance. For those who cannot complete the form, the full-time nursing staff can ask each item listed in the questionnaire and fill it out. 190 questionnaires were issued, all of which were effectively recovered.

2. Questionnaire Survey Results
Among 190 patients with hypertension, 17 (8. 9%) followed the medical diet, 173 (91. 1%) did not follow the medical diet. The reasons for non-compliance are shown in the table below.

• Don't know the reasonable diet can prevent, treat high blood pressure ,87  patients, accounting for 50.3 %

• Not knowing that proper diet can eliminate potential risk factors for high blood pressure, 91 patients, accounting for 52.6 %
• They believe that changing diet has little effect on blood pressure and do not pay attention to dietary conditioning.  99 patients, accounting for 57.2 %
• Don't know that obesity is hypertension risk factors,49 patients, accounting for 28.3 %
• Family members can't or cooperate unconditionally diet ,74 patients, accounting for 42.8 %
• Poor eating habits, 118 patients, accounting for 68.2%.
• lack of self-control, 120 patients, accounting for 69.4%.
• Not receiving formal education on hypertensive diet,112 patients, accounting for 64.7%.

3. Analysis of causes of hypertension patients not complying with medical diet

The results showed 

17 (8. 9 %) patients with hypertension could follow the medical diet.

173 (91. 1 %) patients did not follow the medical diet. 

64.7 % of the patients did not receive diet education for hypertension. 50.3% of the patients did not know that a reasonable diet could prevent and treat hypertension, 

52.6% of the patients did not know that improper diet was a potential risk factor for hypertension, 

57.2% of the patients thought that changing diet had little effect on blood pressure and did not pay attention to diet conditioning, 

28.3% of the patients did not know that obesity was a risk factor for hypertension.

The follow reasons are  :

• 1. Factors of the cultural level of patients. Non-knowledge-based elderly patients have few information sources, weak awareness of health care, little demand for health, too much reliance on the medical staff, only require the relief of superficial pain. However, some young and middle-aged people with low education levels have poor acceptance ability and do not attach importance to the role of patients. In addition, the residents to the basic knowledge of diet and nutrition are still at a low level, the lack of important knowledge of basic nutrition and health care needs to cause widespread attention.
• 2. Lifestyle factors of patients. Most elderly patients develop bad habits of smoking, drinking, and a high-salt diet for a long time, which cannot be changed in a short time. Middle-aged and young people because of busywork, pressure, social engagements, and can not very well quit smoking, avoid alcohol, low salt, and low-fat diet, and adhere to long-term medication. At the same time, obesity is also a major cause of hypertension. There are many reasons for obesity, such as genetic factors, lack of exercise, overeating and intemperance. When the condition is stable, patients with hypertension tend to relax their requirements and satisfy their cravings for certain foods and do not control their appetite, which affects the control of blood pressure.
• 3. The patient's family was not involved. The family members of the patients lack knowledge of hypertension, lack of understanding of the disease, and lack of care for the patients, especially for the elderly patients. If the family members have mastered the knowledge of diet, activities, medication and so on, and played the role of cooperation and supervision, the patients are easier to grasp and accept.

4. Improved method

1. Establish a reasonable diet for patients with hypertension

A reasonable diet can promote a healthy life for patients. First of all, we should control the intake of energy, advocate eating complex sugars, such as starch, corn, and eat less glucose and sucrose, which are easy to cause elevated blood lipids and limit the intake of fat for patients. When cooking, choose vegetable oil, can eat more Marine fish, to increase the elasticity of microvascular, prevent vascular rupture, prevent hypertension complications have a certain effect. Eat protein in moderation. A daily protein intake of 1g per kilogram of body weight is recommended for patients with hypertension. Eating fish protein two to three times a week can improve the elasticity and permeability of blood vessels, increase the excrement of urinary sodium, and thus reduce blood pressure. If hypertension is combined with renal insufficiency, protein intake should be limited. Eat foods rich in potassium, calcium and low in sodium, such as potatoes and eggplant. Contain calcium high food: milk, sour milk. Limit salt intake: it should be reduced gradually to <6g a modest reduction in sodium intake can help lower blood pressure. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

            

2. The patients are required to change their unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits.

The diet diagnosis and treatment of hypertension patients should pay attention to filling calcium and potassium, eating more vegetables and fruits, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, and drinking water scientifically.

 

3. To improve the participation of patients' family members in the disease control of patients with hypertension, which should be completed jointly by the family members and patients.

Let the family members of the patient understand the knowledge of hypertension, cooperate with the patient to arrange life reasonably, pay attention to the combination of work and rest. Family members are required to regularly measure the patient's blood pressure and keep it close to normal to prevent further damage to the organs. Do not add or discontinue medications at will. Supervise proper rest to eliminate excessive stress. Improve social adaptability, maintain psychological balance, avoid the influence of various adverse stimuli, patients can not wear tights, neckline or tie too tight, will compress the jugular sinus, so that the blood pressure rise. Prevent constipation, hold breath defecate can make abdomen pressure rise, can cause blood pressure to rise sharply, when necessary take purging agent. Proper participation in activities such as walking, walking, cycling and swimming can lower blood pressure. If the patient's blood pressure continues to rise or symptoms such as dizziness, headache, or nausea occur, seek medical attention immediately.

Non-compliance behavior not only affects the control of hypertension, but also affects the quality of life of patients, so prevention is very important. We believe that in the process of treatment, we should grasp the relevant factors of non-compliance behavior, take corresponding measures, through targeted health education, increase patients' knowledge of disease prevention, treatment and life extension, and promote their compliance behavior.

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