What is hypertensive heart disease?

Are you a fan of roller coasters, bungee jumping or any other activity that gets your heart racing with excitement? Well, did you know that hypertension or high blood pressure can make your heart race too? Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of thrill anyone should seek out as it can lead to hypertensive heart disease – a serious condition affecting millions worldwide.

We’re sorry to burst your adrenaline-pumping bubble.

In this article, we will delve deep into what hypertensive heart disease is and how best to tackle its symptoms.

Let’s Get Technical!

Hypertension occurs when blood flows through the vessels at elevated pressures. This increased force causes little tears in artery walls which creates inflammation leading to plaque accumulation. The more plaques get deposited in these arteries; they gradually shrink making way for less blood flow thereby increasing resistance/resistance vessels (vascular resistance) causing higher cardiac afterload levels/

Now wait a minute- don’t jump ship yet! We’ll explain all in plain English- no doctor language here.

What Exactly is Hypertensive Heart Disease?

When someone has hypertension or high blood pressure, their health provider diagnoses them as having primary systemic arterial hypertension PPHTN and drugs are immediately prescribed for lowering BP (blood pressure). However chronic long-term persistent elevation (regardless of cause), affects numerous structures within our bodies including but not limited to: kidney damage nephrosclerosis/myocardial failure cardiomyopathy due first/ventricular/arterial remodeling; ultimately progressing towards full-blown hypertensive heart disease where structural changes occur like left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), angina pectoris/coronary artery blockages/pulmonary edemas/congestive failures worse…most times ending up dead on arrival (yes we went there)

Wait! Slow down! Explain LVH

Oh sure thing her majesty. LVH is left ventricular hypertrophy. When someone with hypertension has an enlarged left heart chamber- it’s called LVH! This change occurs because the chambers are working overtime due to increased pressure.

What Does High Blood Pressure Have To Do With The Heart?

A LOT! Since the heart pumps blood into vascular highways, any obstruction can lead to disasters such as angina pectoris or coronary artery disease; both of which may cause chest pain and shortness of breath, among other symptoms resulting from a lack or reduced oxygen supply in the body parts affected.

LVH also leads to more risk for ischemic heart disease/IHD (another term for CAD) further progressing towards cardiac-failure-of-any-kind (we warned you)

Symptoms And Diagnosis

One out every three adults worldwide have high blood pressure and just like our fingerprints, each human being presents differently hence rigorous assessments are done before diagnosis (yes we know boring!)

Symptoms vary but include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pains
  • Dizziness
    and so on…

Remember always contact your healthcare professional whenever any unknown symptoms pop up…don’t be a hero

Diagnosis entails regular readings taken by the doctor during different times after resting positions/movement/activity/medication adjustments/monitoring using non invasive techniques such as sphygmomanometers/electronic BP monitors etc; all done until manageable levels seen or reached.

Let’s Get Serious!

Untreated Hypertensive Heart Disease is no joke. It can lead to unwanted complications some which include:

  1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  2. Stroke
  3. Kidney Damage/Nephroangiosclerosis.
  4. Peripheral Vascular Disease/PAD

…the list goes on and on!

The key takeaway – hypertension should never be treated lightly nor managed without proper diagnosis but rather promptly tackled head-on.

How Bad Can We Take It?

Studies reveal that hypertensive heart disease is a key contributor to most cardiovascular-related deaths globally.

WHO just rang and we’re never answering again…who likes bad news after all?

Preventing Hypertension

There are various ways of preventing hypertension; some lifestyle modifications include:

  • Regular exercise
  • Diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, etc)
  • Smoking cessation
  • Sodium reduction
    and so many more…

In addition testing one’s blood pressure regularly is a no-brainer in this day and age as complications such as the aforementioned can be avoided at an early stage.

Bringing The Curtains Down!

So what have we learned today ladies and gentlemen?!

Hypertensive Heart Disease is not funny business! If you think your BP might be acting up contact your healthcare provider immediately. Don’t play hero or ignore its effects.

Are there any questions ladies and gentlemen? No?! Great – now let’s go maintain our blood pressures (you know who you are!)

Enjoyed reading this article? Well give us thumbs up/leave feedback on how we did because it was fun untangling medical terminology while making humorous quips (we hope).

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