Medical expert of the article
New publications
Third-degree hypertension
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Stage 3 hypertension can develop as a result of damage to target organs in patients.
In this case, the functional capabilities of the body are significantly reduced. Complications that occur due to severe hypertension significantly complicate a person's life. In some cases, if you do not follow the doctor's recommendations, everything can end fatally.
Causes of hypertension stage 3
The causes of stage 3 hypertension are quite simple. Everything happens mainly due to the patient's fault. Insufficient treatment leads to the development of more severe hypertension. Diseases that the patient already has can also contribute.
Modern medicine is able to detect even a slight increase in blood pressure in people of any age. The correctness of the treatment depends on this indicator. The patient can receive high-quality and comprehensive treatment. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to select the necessary medications and resort to another method of therapy. The main thing is not to delay treatment.
It is worth noting once again that severe hypertension can occur due to the fault of the patient or the attending physician. Many people do not try to follow the prescribed course of recovery and often do not perform such necessary procedures. As a result, the situation worsens visibly. In this situation, a person becomes limited and incapacitated. Because any prolonged load leads to a complication of the condition. Stage 3 hypertension will not overtake a person if he carefully monitors the previous variation of the disease.
[ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]
Risk #3 for stage 2 hypertension
Risk No. 3 for stage 2 hypertension is determined if a person has a 20-30 percent chance of developing complications related to the heart.
Often, such a risk exists in people suffering from diabetes. This group includes patients with atherosclerotic plaques, the development of renal filtration disorders.
In this condition, stable angina of effort is observed. It is this that allows us to determine the presence of the third degree of risk in a person, even at a young age.
It is almost impossible to get rid of this problem. You can try to ease it and prevent the disease from developing more seriously. Naturally, if a person follows all the doctor's recommendations, the situation will not worsen.
There are cases when even the correct implementation of the prescribed complex ends in complete failure. This happens because a person has other diseases in addition to hypertension. In this case, it is necessary to try to maintain the general condition and not allow it to worsen. Hypertension of the 3rd degree significantly complicates a person's life.
Symptoms of hypertension stage 3
Symptoms of stage 3 hypertension consist directly of manifestations of hypertension, as well as signs that characterize damage to target organs.
Pathological changes are observed in many organs and systems. The brain suffers first. There is a persistent lesion of blood vessels and all structures of the central nervous system. All this manifests itself negatively in the kidneys. Any pathologies in this organ can lead to complications of hypertension and an increase in its degree.
The heart also suffers, there is a risk of developing complications such as myocardial infarction, as well as the appearance of hemodynamic instability. There is also a negative impact on the organs of vision. There is a high risk of damage to the blood vessels of the retina.
Brain damage is not excluded, which determines the severity of the patient's condition. Especially if the changes affect the vessels and brain tissue. In this case, acute cerebrovascular accident develops. This leads to hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke.
There is a risk of aneurysmal arterial dilation, encephalopathy development and intracerebral or intracranial hematomas. Stage 3 hypertension is a serious disease that requires a special approach.
Diagnosis of hypertension stage 3
Diagnosis of hypertension of the 3rd degree is carried out on the basis of a person's complaints and some studies. Basically, people begin to suffer from headaches, nausea, constant dizziness, a feeling of vascular pulsation, the appearance of edema, rapid heartbeat and muscle weakness. Complaints alone are not enough in this case; it is necessary to conduct an examination for reliability.
An accurate diagnosis can be made after measuring blood pressure. This procedure is carried out 2 times over 2 weeks. This will allow you to track some dynamics. This method is called physical diagnostics. Thanks to it, you can not only measure the level of blood pressure, but also assess the condition of the peripheral vessels for edema. In addition, during this technique, the heart and lungs are listened to, percussion of the vascular bundle is carried out and the configuration of the heart is determined.
Hypertension of this degree can develop in the course of pathologies in the heart and kidneys. Therefore, a number of other studies are also carried out that allow you to check their condition. Basically, ultrasound is done, thanks to which it is possible to study the condition of the kidneys, liver, pancreas and endocrine glands. Hypertension of the 3rd degree affects these organs and leads to the appearance of pathologies in them.
[ 12 ]
Who to contact?
Treatment of hypertension stage 3
Treatment of hypertension of the 3rd degree consists of several stages. First of all, it is necessary to organize the most active lifestyle possible. The treatment program should include dosed physical activity that is acceptable for the patient. Health-improving measures are included in the rehabilitation course.
It is necessary to observe the rest and work regime. The longer a person can use this method, the better the result of this therapy. In no case should you overexert yourself. It is advisable to do everything on time so that no complications arise.
Diet plays a huge role. In hypertension of the 3rd degree, a special diet should be followed. Moreover, it does not in any way intersect with the diet for people suffering from the 1st and 2nd degree.
Naturally, you can't do without drug treatment. A set of drugs is prescribed individually by your doctor. Cardosal and Rasilez are often used. They have a positive effect on essential hypertension. Cardosal should be taken once a day at the same time, every day, regardless of food intake. In some cases, the dosage is increased by 2-3 times. This issue is decided by your doctor. Rasilez can be taken both independently and in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. It is worth using 150 mg of the drug at a time per day, regardless of food intake. A lasting effect is observed after 2 weeks. Stage 3 hypertension is a serious disease and it is not recommended to try to eliminate it by yourself with medication.
How to treat stage 3 hypertension?
How to treat hypertension stage 3 should be every person who has encountered it. So, first of all, it is worth considering the schedule of physical activity. This technique allows the body to work in the usual mode. It is important not to forget to give rest. Therefore, the alternation of loads and rest time should be strictly observed. This issue is resolved with the attending physician.
Particular attention should be paid to nutrition. A certain diet should be followed, which is not at all similar to the diet for hypertension of the 1st and 2nd degree. The amount of liquid drunk plays a significant role. After all, disorders of water-electrolyte metabolism can worsen the patient's condition.
To treat stage 3 hypertension, taking one drug is not enough. In this case, high-quality complex therapy is necessary. Such medications as Rasilez and Cardosal are perfect for this. They can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor. Everything is prescribed individually and the existing problems and pathologies of organs and systems are taken into account. In fact, there is no standard method of treatment. It is necessary to use more than one drug at the same time, and so that it can interact with others. Therefore, how to treat stage 3 hypertension in a specific case, a doctor should tell you.
Nutrition for hypertension stage 3
Nutrition for stage 3 hypertension should be special. It involves eating foods that help delay the development of atherosclerosis. Healthy foods include: cottage cheese, yogurt, whey, boiled beef, peas, and egg whites.
It is necessary to constantly consume black currants, green onions, radishes and lemons. Eating these products will allow you to remove toxins from the body in time.
It is not recommended to eat salt in large quantities, it contributes to increased pressure. It is desirable that a person consumes no more than half a teaspoon per day.
There is a list of products that should never be eaten. These include spices, pickles, smoked and spicy foods. All of this can significantly increase blood pressure. It is recommended to give up caffeine and butter-based confectionery. Any alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
It is advisable to include ginger in your daily diet. This plant has always been considered universal and healing. Ginger acts as an excellent preventive measure that can reduce blood pressure. In addition, the plant thins the blood and relaxes the muscles around the blood vessels. Stage 3 hypertension requires proper nutrition, with the use of healthy foods.
Diet for hypertension stage 3
A diet for stage 3 hypertension is an important component of proper treatment. A person should exclude harmful foods from their diet and replace them with healthy foods. It is also worth noting that one should never overeat. The patient should eat small portions and often. The diet can be compiled by the attending physician or formed by the patient himself. Below is an approximate menu for a week.
- Monday. For breakfast, eat meat soufflé and milk porridge. Wash it all down with tea. Breakfast is filling, but it doesn't leave a feeling of heaviness in the body. Literally a couple of hours later, you can eat an apple. For lunch, chicken broth soup and rice with chicken meat are suitable. Wash it all down with compote. Don't skip afternoon tea, croutons with sugar and rosehip infusion are perfect for it. For dinner, jellied fish with carrots, a glass of kefir before bed.
- Tuesday. Buckwheat porridge for breakfast, you can drink tea with milk. On the second day of the diet, a second breakfast is included. During this period, you can drink a decoction of dried black currants or carrot juice. For lunch, borscht on a decoction of wheat bran and rice pilaf with dried apricots are suitable. It is recommended to wash it all down with a decoction of rose hips. Fruit juice is suitable for an afternoon snack. No dinner. Rose hip decoction before bed.
- Wednesday. Buckwheat or oatmeal with apples and carrots for tomorrow. You can drink tea. Soaked dried apricots are good for a second breakfast. Borscht, fried meat, leafy salad and blackcurrant jelly are good for lunch. Fresh apples are good for an afternoon snack. Dinner is carrot cutlets, cottage cheese soufflé and tea with lemon. Rosehip infusion is good before bed.
- Thursday. Breakfast: cottage cheese with stale bread, butter, jam and tea. For the second breakfast, crackers with vegetable or fruit juice. For lunch, you can cook boiled fish, mashed potatoes or vegetable stew. Wash it all down with carrot juice. For an afternoon snack, an apple, for dinner, buckwheat porridge with sour milk. Before bed, a glass of kefir.
- Friday. Milk porridge with a bun for breakfast. Fruit for the second breakfast. Vegetable soup with vermicelli and meatballs for lunch. A baked sweet apple can be eaten for dessert. Kefir for an afternoon snack, lazy vareniki and tea with milk for dinner. Rosehip infusion in the evening.
- Saturday. For breakfast, a soft-boiled egg, stale bread, and honey with milk. For second breakfast, fruit juice. For lunch, vegetable soup and cottage cheese soufflé. You can make some vinaigrette or any other salad with vegetable oil. Wash it all down with plum compote. For an afternoon snack, jelly or fruit mousse. For dinner, boiled potatoes and some lean ham.
- Sunday. For the first breakfast, buckwheat porridge and cabbage salad, coffee with milk. For the second breakfast, you need to soak raisins and make vegetable juice. For lunch, potato soup without meat and rice pilaf. For an afternoon snack, soaked dried apricots. For dinner, jellied fish, potato cutlets and tea with milk. Before going to bed, drink a glass of kefir. Stage 3 hypertension implies the use of all the above products, but the menu can change depending on personal preferences.
More information of the treatment
Prevention of hypertension stage 3
Prevention of hypertension stage 3 plays a significant role. It is easy to avoid aggravation of the situation, it is important to perform some actions.
First of all, it is necessary to do physical exercise. This will help keep the blood vessels in good shape. It is advisable to maintain weight at a normal level. Its excessive increase can lead to diabetes and hypertension. The development of ischemic heart disease is not excluded.
It is strongly recommended to get rid of bad habits. These include smoking and drinking alcohol. Nicotine can constrict blood vessels.
After a hard day at work, it is necessary to give the body a rest. If a person is engaged in mental activity, then the rest should be active. For people whose work is associated with physical activity, on the contrary, complete rest is necessary.
It is necessary to periodically take sugar tests. It is important to monitor the level of arterial pressure and sometimes do an ECG of the heart. This will allow you to monitor the indicators. In this case, hypertension of the 3rd degree can be prevented.
Prognosis of hypertension stage 3
The prognosis for stage 3 hypertension largely depends on the stage of the disease. There is no danger at the beginning. The prognosis is favorable and there is no need to worry about it. The condition worsens with a severe course or rapid progression of the disease.
If hypertension is accompanied by the development of sclerotic changes in the vessels, the prognosis is far from positive. At stage 3 of the disease, it is pointless to talk about a good state of affairs. During this period, severe damage to the vessels and organs is observed. The hypertensive form of the disease is especially dangerous. In this case, there is no point in hoping for a favorable prognosis.
Regarding the prognosis, it is worth saying the following: much depends on the patient. If he follows all the doctor's recommendations and has been prescribed quality treatment, everything will end well. It is important to observe all the features of the complex elimination of the problem and not to forget about the rehabilitation period. In this case, hypertension of the 3rd degree is not so dangerous, but the risk of worsening the situation is always present.
Disability due to hypertension stage 3
Disability with hypertension of the 3rd degree is possible for a number of reasons. The fact is that people suffering from this disease, especially if we are talking about severe damage to the kidneys, heart, brain and eyes, are incapacitated. Some of the victims may be partially recognized as able to work and perform their duties at home.
Severe complications can result from problems with the kidneys, heart and brain. In this case, the person is considered a disabled person of the 2nd group, in some cases even the first.
People suffering from hypertension should be constantly registered at a dispensary. Periodic examination, special rehabilitation courses and health improvement in sanatoriums can help a person feel much better.
There are people who are not suitable for various resorts. Moreover, their condition can constantly change. In this case, you cannot go to a sanatorium. Stage 3 hypertension is a complex disease that can affect many systems and organs.