Hypertensive heart disease is a group of heart problems directly or indirectly caused by a sustained poorly managed elevated blood pressure. It encompasses different clinical entities that include:

–Coronary heart disease: ranging from stable angina to frank myocardial infarction, heart attack.

–Congestive heart failure with acute pulmonary edema, which can be acute and life threatening.

–Dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, which also can lead to congestive heart failure, arrhythmia and stroke.

HOW COMMON IS HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE?

Hypertensive heart disease is the leading cause of death in people suffering from hypertension. Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. Over time, this increased pressure can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, leading to various cardiovascular issues. It affects 1.3 billion people aged 30-79 worldwide of which less than 50% are diagnosed and treated.

CAUSES OF HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE

Several factors contribute to the development of hypertensive heart disease. These include:

Uncontrolled Hypertension: Failure to manage hypertension through lifestyle modifications, medications, or both can result in damage to the heart muscle and blood vessels.

Genetics: Family history of hypertension and heart disease can increase the risk of developing hypertensive heart disease.

Obesity: Excess body weight places additional strain on the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of regular physical activity can contribute to hypertension and heart-related problems.

Poor Diet: A diet high in salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol can lead to hypertension and its complications.

Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: These habits can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE

Remember the heart pumps out 5 liters of blood throughout the entire body every minute. This blood carries oxygen and the other nutrients that are needed to produce energy for your brain, your kidney, your liver, everything. Whenever it cannot accomplish this task properly, lots of problems ensue. the most common manifestation of hypertensive heart disease include:

Chest Pain: Also known as angina, chest pain may occur due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle causing ischemia. The heart must pump enough blood in order to feed itself. When it fails to do, the main symptom is this crushing sub-sternal chest pain that feels like an elephant is sitting on chest. It occurs mainly during activities that increase the heart and the oxygen demand.

Shortness of Breath: This can occur during physical activity or even at rest due to a weakened heart’s inability to pump blood effectively. remember, the blood pumped by the heart comes directly from the lungs, where it was oxygenated, through the pulmonary veins. When it cannot pump at least 50% to 70% of the blood volume coming from the lungs, the excedent backs up and oozes through the pulmonary capillaries, causing a pulmonary edema, which impairs the ventilation and gas exchange process.

Fatigue: Reduced blood flow and increased workload on the heart can lead to persistent fatigue.

Irregular Heartbeat: Hypertension can disrupt the heart’s rhythm, leading to arrhythmias. An ischemic heart tends to be very electrically unstable. Most deaths from heart attack occur as a result of ventricular fibrillation, where the heart quivers instead of “beating”.

Leg swelling: The heart’s inability to pump blood efficiently can result in heart failure, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs as mentioned above and also the legs, also known as edema.

Stroke: Hypertension increases the risk of blood clots and stroke, which can have serious consequences.

MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION

While hypertensive heart disease can have serious implications, it is preventable and manageable. Here are some strategies:

Blood Pressure Monitoring: Blood pressure control is the cornerstone in the prevention of any hypertension induced complication. Regularly monitoring blood pressure and working with a healthcare provider to keep it within a healthy range is crucial (Read also: Should you worry about your blood pressure?).

Healthy Diet: Adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low in sodium and saturated fats can help control blood pressure. Emphasis should be put on the low salt diet. The average American consumes 3600 milligrams of sodium daily, while the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2300 milligrams. For individuals with hypertension the recommended limit is 1500 milligrams, roughly two third of a teaspoon. Watch your salt!

Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, can improve heart health. You do not have to be a body builder or a marathon runner to draw benefits from regular exercise. Researchers found that as low as 2300 steps daily lessen the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases; 4000 steps daily decrease the risk of dying from any cause.

Losing weight: This might be the most guaranteed way to lower the blood pressure in individuals who are overweight or obese. It is well established that for every kilogram of weight dropped, the blood pressure goes down 1 mmHg (Read also: Five healthy snacks to aid with weight loss).

Stress Management: Chronic stress can contribute to hypertension. Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga can be beneficial. Musculation exercises seem to induce endorphins and dopamine release from the brain, which are very potent feel-good chemicals.

Medications: When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medications prescribed by a doctor can help control blood pressure. The range of blood pressure medications is pretty wide. We will leave this subject for another article.

Smoking Cessation and Alcohol Moderation: Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake can significantly lower the risk of heart disease. This cannot be emphasized anymore.

To wrap up, hypertensive heart disease is a serious condition that arises from untreated or poorly managed high blood pressure. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and complications is essential for prevention and early intervention. By making positive lifestyle changes, managing blood pressure, and working closely with healthcare professionals, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of hypertensive heart disease and enjoy a heart-healthy life. Prioritizing heart health through education and proactive measures is a step toward a happier and healthier future.

Yours in good health

MDLINE HEALTH