What is the correlation between hypertension and heart disease?

Cardiac Sciences | Posted on 07/25/2022 by RBH

Hypertension is a condition in which blood flows with a lot of force that is against the artery walls; commonly it is known as high blood pressure. The blood pressure is represented by two numbers the first is known as the systolic number which shows the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart contracts while the diastolic number shows the pressure when the heart rests between the beats. Normal blood pressure is usually 120/ 80 mmHg and blood pressure above it is considered high blood pressure for example 180/120 mmHg. Prolonged condition of hypertension increases the risk of developing heart disease or stroke because the constant high blood pressure damages the inner lining of the artery and puts a lot of pressure on the heart. This type of damage to the artery wall makes arteries more susceptible to plaque ( which is the deposition of cholesterol caused due to high blood cholesterol levels) that might cause blockage which further reduces the blood flow; as a result, it might lead to a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Further, hypertension can be divided according to the readings such as elevated blood pressure which means that the systolic blood pressure is 120- 129 mmHg whereas the diastolic pressure can be less than 80 mmHg. Next, in stage one hypertension, systolic pressure is as high as 130 mmHg while diastolic blood pressure can be above 90 mmHg. In stage two of hypertension, the blood pressure can be above 140 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure can go beyond 100 mmHg. Crores of people suffer from hypertension all across the globe and many of them suffer from heart diseases due to their condition. Therefore, it becomes absolutely necessary that people who suffer from hypertension must take care of their blood pressure by taking regular medication, proper diet, and practicing exercise. Further, people who are suffering from hypertension must go for a regular health checkup to prevent any kind of heart disease that might occur in the future, as early diagnosis helps in providing appropriate preventive measures and better treatment opportunities that reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Heart failure: People who suffer from hypertension can be a candidate for heart failure as well. In case of heart failure the heart is unable to provide enough oxygen to the body which can be due to thick and stiff walls formed due to narrowing or constriction of blood vessels caused by prolonged hypertension. Due to constant high blood pressure, the heart gets fatigued and has a lot of workload as it has to put a lot of pressure in order to flow blood properly ( as the arteries become narrow). Therefore, as the elasticity of the blood vessels decreases, the efficiency of the blood flow and the efficiency of the heart also decreases, which eventually leads to heart failure.

Heart attack: A heart attack is caused when the flow of blood is reduced or blocked due to the build-up of fat or cholesterol or due to the narrowing of the arteries. People who suffer from hypertension have a greater risk of having a heart attack as the arteries become narrow, loses their elasticity and it becomes more susceptible to plaque. All these conditions obstruct normal blood flow and put a lot of pressure on the heart. The lack of blood flow damages and destroys a part of the heart muscles that requires immediate medical assistance in order to prevent any life-threatening condition. If a person shows symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, chest pain,  discomfort, or pain that radiates through the shoulder, arms, and back and feel tightness and squeezing pain in such cases they should immediately seek medical help. People who live a sedentary or inactive life, suffer from chronic diseases such as obesity, and diabetes or consume excessive alcohol, or if they are habitual smokers then they are at higher risk of having hypertension and heart diseases.

Also Read:- Lifestyle habits that can help in preventing heart diseases

Rukmani Birla Hospital is one of the best cardiologist hospitals in Jaipur. We have the best team of doctors, surgeons, healthcare professionals, or Cardiologist doctors in Jaipur who have years of experience in treating critical cardiac cases. If you have any heart-related queries then contact RBH for expert treatment, assistance, guidance, and care.