All You Need to Know About Hypertensive Heart Disease

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All You Need to Know About Hypertensive Heart Disease

Cardiology | by Dr. Dhiman Kahali | Published on 31/12/2021


The term hypertensive clearly suggests that the disease has something to do with hypertension, and it does. Hypertensive heart disease is a condition triggered by hypertension or high blood pressure, as we commonly know it. As per the experts from the best cardiac hospital in Kolkata, the latter puts increased pressure on your heart muscles, giving rise to different heart disorders. Hypertensive heart disease is marked by heart failure, CAD and thickening of the heart muscles, and happens to be the leading cause of death in patients suffering from high blood pressure.

 

Getting familiar with very different types of hypertensive heart disease

 

Here are some of the common types of hypertensive heart disease, as listed by the best cardiologist in Kolkata.

 

Narrowing of arteries - The coronary arteries are the major arteries responsible for transporting blood to the heart muscles. When your blood pressure increases, it can cause the coronary artery to shrink, thereby hindering the normal flow of blood through it. The condition is commonly referred to as coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease. It can lead to the deficiency of oxygenated blood in various different parts of the body, thereby drastically affecting the normal functioning of these. In some cases there might be the formation of a blood clot that can completely restrict the flow of blood, making you highly susceptible to a heart attack.

 

Thickening of the heart muscle - Elevated blood pressure can interfere with your heart's ability to pump blood, making it more difficult and cumbersome. This hard work can cause your muscles to become thick, and drastically impact the normal functioning of the heart. Such changes are more likely to happen in the left ventricle of the heart and the condition is commonly referred to as left ventricular hypertrophy.

It is pertinent to note that if you have any of the two, it is likely to make you more susceptible to the other one. Also, both conditions can give rise to serious complications that include heart failure, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, heart attack, cardiac arrest, and stroke.

 

Are you at risk of hypertensive heart disease?

 

Hypertensive heart disease affects people suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure. The risks are higher for people who are overweight, lead a stagnant lifestyle, smoke, and consume foods rich in fats and cholesterol. The risks are also higher if you have a family history of hypertensive heart disease. Experts from the best heart hospital in Kolkata suggest that hypertensive heart disease is more common in men, as compared to women, who are still menstruating. However, the risks of postmenopausal women are somewhat similar to those of men.

 

What are the symptoms that you need to look out for

 

Just like any other condition symptoms of hypertensive heart disease vary from one person to another, depending upon the severity of the condition, the age of the patient, and some other factors. Some of the common symptoms that you need to look out for include:

  • Persistent chest pain or angina
  • Feeling pressure or tightness in the chest
  • Breathlessness
  • General body weakness and fatigue
  • Chest back pain that radiates toward the neck, back, and arms
  • Unexplained loss of appetite
  • Oedema in the lower extremities

 

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms it is very important to go for a proper assessment. This includes a series of tests like an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, coronary angiography, and stress test. If you are detected with hypertensive heart disease, you will be prescribed medication for the same. In more serious cases surgery may be required. To know more about hypertensive heart disease, consult BM Birla experts today.