Hypertensive heart disease is such a heart condition that is caused by high blood pressure. When the heart performs its function under high blood pressure, various pathological outcomes are seen such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, hardening of the heart muscles, and such other conditions. High blood pressure can cause many serious health problems which are the leading cause of death nowadays.
Why hypertension is the main cause of heart diseases? The reason is that, when the blood pressure remains high in vessels, your heart has to work more forcibly to cope with the blood pressure. Due to high forceful heart contraction causes heart fatigue and arrhythmia. This regular hard-working of heart makes the heart muscles to grow and thicken.
Who One Is At Risk Of Hypertensive Heart Disease?
The main cause of hypertensive heart disease is high blood pressure. It is a leading cause of death both in men and women in the united states. Chances of getting such heart disease are high in men than women who are not menopausal. However, menopausal women and men are at equal risk. The main risk factors, which may lead to having hypertensive heart disease are
If you are obese
- Don’t do walk or exercise
- Good containing high cholesterol and fats
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High salt intake
- Positive family history
Types of Hypertensive Heart Disease
Hypertensive heart disease is the first main cause of death due to high blood pressure. These hypertensive heart diseases are a group of heart diseases that include heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, ischemic heart diseases, and thickening of the heart muscles. In these heart diseases, the heart doesn’t stop doing its functions but lost the ability to pump efficiently and effectively.
Common Symptoms of the Hypertensive Heart Disease
Symptoms of hypertensive heart diseases vary from patient to patient depending on the progression of the disease, severity, and onset of the condition. In chronic hypertensive patients, heart muscles are more thickened, rather than acute diseases. Therefore, you may experience no symptoms at all, or may experience some symptoms that include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain (angina)
- High blood pressure
- Tightness or pressure in the chest
- Fatigue
- Pain radiating towards the neck, back, arms, or shoulders
- Ankle or leg swelling or edema
- Persistent cough
- Palpitations
- Loss of appetite
- Tachycardia
Lab Tests and Diagnosis To Confirmed the Hypertensive Heart Disease
When you go to your doctor, your complete history is taken and then proper thorough physical examination is done to evaluate the condition of the other body systems. After the examination, your doctor advised you of some investigations to confirm its diagnosis.
The following tests are helpful to determine the exact cause of your heart diseases. Some of them are
ECG
Your heart’s electrical activities are monitored and recorded by attaching the patches to your finger’s legs and chest. Visible results on the front screen are helpful for the doctor to interpret that.
EEG
The microscopic or detailed picture of the heart and its chambers are captured with the help of ultrasound.
Exercise Stress Test
This test is used to assess the effects of exercise on your heart activities. You may ask the patient to walk on a treadmill or do some exercise.
Coronary Angiography
A balloon catheter is inserted through your groin or an artery of arm or leg, to examine the flow of blood through the coronary artery.
Nuclear Stress Test
This test is conducted when you are at rest or exercise to determine the flow of blood to the heart while you are exercising or resting.
After getting the results from these above tests, your physician may find out the cause of your heart disease and severity of the illness.
Treatment Plan for the Hypertensive Heart Disease
The treatment plan varies from patient to patient depending on the medical history, age of the patient, causes of the disease, and severity of the illness.
1- Medication
Medication is often prescribed to hypertensive patients with these heart diseases. Aim of these medications are
- To improve the blood flow to the heart
- Decrease the serum cholesterol level
- Blood pressure maintenance
- Prevention of blood clotting
Therefore, take medicine exactly the same as your doctor prescribed you.
2- Surgery
In most severe illness, surgery may need to increase the blood flow to the heart. If heart contraction is irregular and improper, you may need to place an operated device (known as an artificial pacemaker), to improve the heart contractions by their electrical stimulation.
Prevention
To prevent hypertensive heart disease, you should maintain your body weight. Do exercise daily. Salt is restricted in your diet. Monitor your blood pressure regularly. Take a cholesterol-free diet. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain your blood pressure and volume. Talk to your doctor to further improve your health.
