Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertensive heart disease is coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiomegaly (enlarged heart) due to high blood pressure.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is characterized by the force the heart must use to pump blood throughout the body. It consists of a top (systolic) number, and a bottom (diastolic) number. The top number is usually around 120, and the bottom number is usually around 80, hence 120/80 is a normal reading. However, if the top number is consistantly over 140, and the lower, or diastolic number if found to be over 90 this is considered high blood pressure. Both numbers are out of range for normal and a treatment course must be put into place.

As blood pressure continues to be high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Just as a bodybuilder lifts weights to increase muscle mass, the same principle applies to high blood pressure and it's affects on the heart. In the case of the heart, we do not want increased muscle mass because the heart then is enlarged, and begins to work inefficiently making fluid back up into the lungs and other problems. Therefore, hypertensive heart disease is directly related to high blood pressure as the culprit.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

High blood pressure is defined as increased pressure in the blood vessels. The heart must work harder to overcome this pressure. This results in the heart muscle itself to thicken and become enlarged over time, in addition to decreasing cardiac output. Without treatment, symptoms of congestive heart failure may develop.

The most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke is hypertension. It causes ischemic heart disease from the decreased supply of oxygen needed by the thicker heart muscle.

High blood pressure also causes thickening of the blood vessel walls. This may worsen atherosclerosis (increased cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels), as well as the increased risks of heart attack and stroke.

Hypertensive heart disease is the leading cause of illness and death from high blood pressure.

The complications of heart disease that manifest determine the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook of hypertensive heart disease.

Complications include:

• Angina


• Arrhythmias


• Heart attack


• Heart failure


• Stroke


• Sudden death

Consult your physician if you have high blood pressure and develop any symptoms of heart disease or heart attack.

Prevention:

Have your blood pressure checked at regular intervals (as recommended by your health care provider) to monitor the condition. Frequent blood pressure measurements taken at home are often recommended for people with difficult-to-control high blood pressure.

Treat your high blood pressure. Do not stop or change treatment, except on the advice of your health care provider.

Carefully control diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions that increase heart disease risks .

In addition to medications, recommended lifestyle changes include:

Diet Changes:

• Avoid trans fats and saturated fats


• Increase fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products


• Reduce salt intake (may be beneficial)


• Eat whole grains, poultry, and fish


• Exercise regularly


• Reduce excessive alcohol consumption


• Stop smoking -- cigarettes are a major cause of hypertension-related heart disease


• Lose weight if you are overweight or obese

Hypertensive heart disease is a chronic condition that involves life long treatment. You can decrease your risk factors and lessen symptoms by working with your doctor in management of your disease. With successful management, there's nothing stopping you from living a full and productive life.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT