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Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertensive heart disease is an umbrella term that refers to disorders of the heart and blood vessels (the circulatory system) resulting from hypertension i.e. high blood pressure. Generally, the term hypertensive heart disease is used to include three main kinds of heart problems caused by high blood pressure: heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These along with other heart problems are the leading cause of death throughout the world.

The Nature of Hypertensive Heart Disease

The detailed nature of the three main kinds of hypertensive heart disease differs from one another, though all of them involve abnormal pressure of the blood to and/or from the heart. In case of a heart failure, the supply of blood flow and dissolved nutrients and oxygen to body organs and the heart tissues is reduced. The result is a stretching of the heart muscle to meet the body’s requirement of blood, ultimately ending in congestion and failure.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) occurs when the heart muscle itself does not get enough blood to maintain its normal function. The decreased supply of blood to the heart muscle is due to the result of atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits called ‘plaque’ along the walls of arteries) or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the walls of arteries). Any of these conditions, if left untreated, can lead to a heart attack and possibly to death.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the name of abnormal thickening of the walls of the heart. The effect of this thickening is a difficulty in blood flow out of the heart, or even failure of the heart muscle to pump blood out of the heart. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may occur due to hypertension or independent of it.

Symptoms and Diagnostic Tests for Hypertensive Heart Disease

Common symptoms experienced by patients of hypertensive heart disease include: fatigue and weakness, irregular heartbeat, pain in chest, difficulty in breathing, nausea, and irregular pulse. Fainting has been reported in patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while those having a possibility of heart failure may experience frequent urge of urination, especially during the night. Diagnostic tests conducted for hypertensive heart disease mainly include chest x-rays, electrocardiogram (ECG), and cardiac stress test.

Treating and Preventing Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertensive heart disease is medically treated by a number of drugs that facilitate blood flow to/from and within the heart. More common drugs used for this purpose include beta-blockers, calcium-channel-blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and vasodilators (drugs that relax blood vessels). Preventive measures against hypertensive heart disease emphasize control over weight, healthy diet (rich in fiber and vitamins), and abstinence from drugs and alcohol. In cases of a severe heart problem, surgery may be required to restore the normal blood flow in the heart and/or blood vessels.