Hypertensive heart disease
Key points
- Hypertensive heart disease is a late complication of hypertension (high blood pressure) that affects the heart.
- High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart, and over time, this can cause thickening of the heart muscle and the symptoms of hypertensive heart disease.
- High blood pressure is known as a silent killer because by the time symptoms of hypertensive heart disease appear, the condition can be life-threatening.
- Signs of heart disease are found on physical examination.
Definition
Hypertensive heart disease is a late complication of hypertension (high blood pressure) that affects the heart.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart, and over time, this can cause thickening of the heart muscle and the symptoms of hypertensive heart disease.
As the heart continues to pump against elevated pressure in the blood vessels, the left ventricle becomes enlarged, cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute) goes down, and without treatment, symptoms of congestive heart failure may develop.
High blood pressure is the most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke. For example, it can cause Ischemic heart disease (decreased blood to the heart muscle that results in anginal chest pain and heart attacks) because of the increased supply of oxygen needed by the thicker heart muscle.
High blood pressure also contributes to the thickening of the blood vessel walls, which in turn may aggravate atherosclerosis (characerized by increased cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels). This also increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Hypertensive heart disease is the leading cause of illness and death from hypertension. It affects approximately 7 out of 1,000 people.
Symptoms
High blood pressure is known as a silent killer because by the time symptoms of hypertensive heart disease appear, the condition can be life-threatening. Congestive heart failure is one possible result of hypertensive heart disease. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath, especially with activity
- Waking at night short of breath
- Need to sleep with the head elevated to avoid shortness of breath
- Rapid or irregular pulse
- Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
- Cough, which may produce frothy or blood-tinged mucus
- Fatigue, weakness, faintness
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- Increased frequency of urination at night
Ischemic heart disease is another possible result of hypertensive heart disease. Symptoms include:
- Chest pain, pressure-type, particularly with exertion
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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