Hypertension & Heart Disease

By HelloLife

Hypertension is the affliction of having high blood pressure. Besides hypertension being a disease by itself it can cause other more serious diseases, such as heart disease. The most common type is called Hypertensive Heart Disease. Hypertensive heart disease is known to be the leading cause of illness and death stemming from hypertension.

Hypertension and Heart Disease

The reason hypertension (high blood pressure) causes heart disease is because hypertension affects the blood vessels in the body. The cardiovascular system in the body is made up of heart and blood vessels so if there is a defect in either it will affect the entire cardiovascular system. Many people do not even know they have hypertension until they have a stroke or a heart attack. Because of this a person should have their blood pressure checked regularly and if they have hypertension they can treat it before it leads to heart disease. If a person is afflicted with Hypertension, the artery walls become weak and are more likely to get atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Because of this the heart has to work harder in order to pump blood through the hardened clogged arteries. If the arteries become too clogged blood clots can form, which will cut off the flow of blood altogether. Hypertension can cause arteries to have an aneurysm or a hemorrhage.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms of Hypertensive Heart Disease and if a person experiences any of them they should consult a physician immediately. Some of the symptoms are, a shortness of breath, quickened heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, a feeling of fatigue, the swelling of feet and ankles, more times urinating in the evening, coughing, and needing to sleep with the head elevated because of a shortness of breath. Just because a person has one or more symptoms does not mean they have Hypertensive Heart Disease but the person should see the physician just to be sure. The longer Hypertensive Heart Disease goes unchecked the more likely major heart problems will occur. In order to prevent Hypertension and decreasing the risk of heart disease there are several lifestyle changes that should be followed. Lack of exercise can cause Hypertension so it is recommended that people are not inactive and take part in some kind of exercise regimen. It does not have to be a grueling workout but keeping active and fit is one way to fight off hypertension and heart disease.

Being Healthy

Eating right is also important. A well balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables can help with hypertension. Foods that are high in salt and sodium should be avoided, as should alcohol. In moderation they are ok to consume but too much of these things can lead to hypertension and heart disease. In terms of diet and exercise people that suffer from obesity are at a higher risk for hypertension. Smoking should also be avoided. Hypertension and heart disease go hand in hand and in order to avoid them altogether a person should have regular checkups and lead a healthy lifestyle. Gone undetected hypertension can lead to heart disease, which is very serious and many times life threatening. When was the last time you saw your doctor?

Sources:

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=21&action=detail&ref=981

http://www.memorialhospital.org/library/general/heart-HYPERTEN.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000163.htm

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertensive-heart-disease

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