What Is Hypertensive Heart Disease? What Causes Hypertensive Heart Disease? What Is Hypertensive Heart Disease? Your heart beats around 100,000 times every day. Every minute, it pumps nearly 1.5 gallons of blood. But there are a lot of reasons why this crucial organ can stop working properly. One of those is chronic hypertension, or what you might know as ongoing high blood pressure. "Hypertensive heart disease is a condition where the heart muscle can get damaged over time due to long-standing high GlycoCares Blood Sugar Guidemetabolic health support pressure," says Joy Gelbman, MD, a cardiologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian. Keeping your blood pressure under control is critical to managing hypertensive heart disease. What Causes Hypertensive Heart Disease? About 1 out of 3 Americans have high blood pressure (higher than 120/80). Only half of these cases are managed well. You won’t be able to feel if blood is pushing against the walls of your arteries with too much force.
That’s why high blood pressure is sometimes called a "silent killer." But over time, hypertension can make it harder for your heart to pump enough blood. It can also damage or narrow your blood vessels. That can become an even bigger issue if you also have high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that can clog the pathways through which blood flows in your body. Usually, chronic hypertension happens because of several different factors. Your genes. If at least one of your close family members has high blood pressure, you may be at a higher risk. Tobacco use. This includes smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco. Food choices. For instance, a diet high in sodium can put extra pressure on your heart. Drug use. Recreational drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can raise your blood pressure and keep it high. Other ongoing health conditions. These include sleep apnea and kidney disease. You don’t get enough exercise.
You have high cholesterol. You eat a lot of salt. Hypertension puts extra strain on your heart, which may cause it to weaken and become stiff. Over time, it can begin to fail. If your arteries become so damaged that enough blood can’t reach your heart, you could have a condition called ischemic heart disease (IHD). You might not have any symptoms until some damage has been done to your heart. Your doctor will ask about your family history of heart issues, and Glyco Care Blood Sugar Formulabitter melon extract check your blood pressure. If you’re on medication for high blood pressure, they’ll likely ask if you’re taking your medication as prescribed and if you are checking your blood pressure at home. If so, your doctor will want to know some of your recent readings. They’ll also ask about any symptoms you’re having. During a physical exam, your doctor can listen to your heart. "When you’re diagnosed with hypertensive heart disease, there are still measures you can take to prevent further complications," says Carmen W. Landrau, MD, a cardiologist and spokesperson for the American Heart Association.
The first step in treating hypertensive cardiovascular disease is treating the high blood pressure that’s causing it. That can be done in several ways, including prescribed medications and making small changes to your daily habits. Many different treatments can help manage your blood pressure. They work by relaxing or widening your blood vessels, helping to flush excess fluid from your body, or slowing down your heart rate so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. Your doctor may also advise you to make changes to your lifestyle. Make healthy food choices. That includes limiting the amount of sodium and saturated fats you eat. Fill your plate instead with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. More physical activity. Working out helps control your blood pressure, maintains your heart function, and helps you reach and stay at a healthy weight. Avoid tobacco products and alcohol. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor for tips. Get regular checkups. During follow-up visits, your doctor can make sure you and your heart are staying healthy.
Manage your stress level. Feeling anxious can raise your blood pressure. If your condition doesn’t get better with medication and lifestyle changes, your doctor may talk to you about a medical procedure. For instance, an FDA-approved procedure called renal ablation, or renal denervation, helps some people who have resistant hypertension. During this minimally invasive surgery, a cardiologist uses ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to damage the renal nerves in your kidneys. Making these nerves less active can help control your blood pressure. Other types of surgeries can help strengthen your arteries or repair or GlycoCares Blood Sugar Guidemetabolic health support replace damaged parts of your heart. Your doctor can explain which kind of surgery is right for you. Getting and keeping your blood pressure under control can reduce your chances of more severe heart issues. Heart failure, or congestive heart failure, doesn’t mean your heart stops working. It means that your heart’s pumping power is less than it should be.