When the heart becomes diseased, it can lead to a life-threatening condition. In addition, diseases of individual components of the heart, which are damaged by hypertensive heart disease (HHD), are the trigger for various dysfunctions of other organs.
What is hypertensive heart disease?
Hypertensive heart disease affects the “engine” of our body and refers to the complete heart muscle. The heart is a unitary muscle, which can perform its function through special openings. If the ability of the heart muscle to contract and relax is diminished by hypertensive heart disease, a loss of function of this central organ may result. In this context, hypertensive heart disease can promote heart failure. For this reason, the disease is one of the organic abnormalities associated with high risks and extensive treatment.
Causes
The causes of hypertensive heart disease are similar to those that promote arterial hypertension. In most patients diagnosed with this form of heart disease, deficiencies in hormonal control of blood pressure in particular, as well as damage to the kidneys, become apparent beforehand. A pre-existing disease of the cardiovascular system also usually ends in hypertensive heart disease. Despite the enormous muscular strength and the amazing resilience of the heart muscle, after prolonged unfavorable factors, a HHK can no longer be averted. If the arteries are partially occluded by deposits associated with arteriosclerosis, hypertensive heart disease also occurs.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Symptoms of hypertensive heart disease can vary in severity. In all cases, affected individuals suffer from significantly elevated blood pressure. Initially, they notice signs such as shortness of breath after physical exertion or during emotional stress. The more the disease progresses, the more frequently shortness of breath occurs even during light physical exertion. In addition, there is an increased urge to urinate at night. The majority of urine is usually excreted at night. As the pumping capacity of the heart decreases, the heart muscle may become dysfunctional. In addition to shortness of breath, sufferers therefore experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, persistent nausea and fatigue. In the advanced stage, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris and finally atrial fibrillation occur. In addition, prolonged stress can lead to lung congestion and even pulmonary edema, which can cause bronchitis. This leads to severe coughing with sputum. Such congestion can also occur in the stomach and kidneys. Often, sufferers also exhibit water retention in the legs or abdomen (abdominal dropsy). If hypertensive heart disease is already very advanced, the coronary arteries may become blocked, causing the heart muscle tissue to die. In many cases, this leads to a heart attack.
Diagnosis and progression
Anatomic visualization of a heart diagnosed with hypertensive heart disease reveals marked size discrepancies from a normal, healthy heart. HHK involves thickening and, therefore, loss of elasticity of the heart muscle. The pumping capacity of the heart decreases. This is expressed in a functional weakness of the muscle. Patients exhibit measurable disturbances of the regular heart rhythm, heart stuttering and, in advanced stages, atrial fibrillation. Shortness of breath, persistent nausea, dizziness and fatigue, and excessive blood pressure are typical of hypertensive heart disease. Before the final stage of HHK is reached, individual stages such as the so-called relaxation disorders, pseudonormalization and the progressions known as restriction are detected. The focus of diagnostic investigations in cases of suspected hypertensive heart disease are the clinical symptoms reported by the affected persons. The technical diagnosis of HHK focuses on echocardiography of the heart and measurement of blood pressure.
Complications
As a rule, complaints of the heart always represent a severe complication, which in the worst case can also lead to the death of the patient. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment is essential in these diseases, so that there is no subsequent damage, which is usually irreversible and can not be treated. In this case, the affected person suffers from cardiac insufficiency and can suffer sudden cardiac death. Similarly, cardiac arrhythmias occur and the patient’s ability to exercise is greatly reduced. Ordinary activities and sporting activities are usually no longer possible for the patient, so that everyday life is restricted. Heart disease reduces the patient’s quality of life and life expectancy. Furthermore, chest pain and also a heart attack can occur, which is associated with serious complications. Furthermore, heart complaints can also have a negative effect on other organs. As a rule, heart complaints can be treated with the help of medications or surgical interventions. Likewise, the affected person must strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to minimize the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, a bypass can also be placed or a pacemaker can be installed to avoid emergencies.
When should you see a doctor?
Problems with cardiac activity can take a fatal course. Therefore, a doctor should always be consulted if irregularities occur. If there is a feeling of pressure in the chest, if there is pain in the upper body or if the person feels unwell for a long time, a doctor is needed. If there are problems with breathing, shortness of breath or shortage of air in the organism, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. There is a risk of multiple organ failure and consequent shortening of life expectancy. If there are interruptions in speech, difficulty in swallowing or a decrease in performance, a doctor should be consulted. If fatigue, vomiting, nausea or dizziness occur, a visit to the doctor is recommended. If additional emotional conspicuousness sets in, a clarification of the symptoms is necessary. Mood swings, melancholic or depressive phases, listlessness or apathy should be examined and discussed with a doctor. In case of sleep disturbances, fatigue or a diminished sense of well-being, an examination of the complaints should be carried out. If existing inconsistencies spread or increase in intensity, a doctor’s visit is necessary. If daily obligations can no longer be fulfilled as usual, the affected person needs help. A doctor should therefore be consulted to determine the cause. Tachycardia, interruptions in cardiac activity or other disturbances of the heart rhythm should be examined by a physician as soon as possible.
Treatment and therapy
With the medical options currently available, there is a good chance of treatment in sight for hypertensive heart disease. In the case of HHK, the first step is to aim for normal blood pressure. A sensible change in the lifestyle of the affected person may be inevitable for the achievement of this goal. Drug-assisted therapy is indicated in hypertensive heart disease. The drugs prescribed for hypertension belong to the groups of ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists or beta blockers. These pharmaceutical preparations do not always lead to success as single doses. In many cases, a sensible combination of all active substances is used. This therapy against CHD also includes so-called dehydrating drugs that increase urine excretion. The implantation of a pacemaker against atrial fibrillation, the integration of a stent or the implantation of a cardiac bypass are also relevant in advanced hypertensive heart disease. These methods can prolong life in HHK and maintain quality of life at a certain level.
Outlook and prognosis
Hypertensive heart disease is treatable with timely and good treatment. Although complete recovery or freedom from symptoms does not occur in most patients, the symptoms and triggers that have occurred can be significantly alleviated with comprehensive medical care. From the use of a pacemaker, drug treatment to mental support, physicians offer a broad spectrum to ensure a good prognosis.The prerequisites for this are timely medical treatment, adherence to elaborated guidelines, and a good ability to recognize the body’s early warning signals. In most cases, the chances of recovery are additionally improved as soon as the current living conditions are rearranged and optimized. The natural needs of the organism are to be taken into account and the way of life is to be adapted to them. The offer of psychotherapeutic support contributes to a further improvement of the prognosis. Stressors are thus recognized more quickly and the possibilities of better dealing with them are promoted. If medical treatment and therapeutic care are rejected by the patient, the risk of premature death increases. In certain situations, many of those affected are unable to react sufficiently to the individual specifications of the organism. Mental as well as physical overload occurs and an acute as well as life-threatening condition develops.
Prevention
Prophylaxis against hypertensive heart disease is based on a steady alternation between periods of stress and recovery, regular physical exercise, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking. A low-fat diet, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin-containing products can prevent HHK. In the context of dealing with negative stress, specific methods and relaxation techniques may be helpful in consciously combating hypertensive heart disease. Specific risk factors such as physical obesity, medications that cause high blood pressure, and balanced sleep should also be mentioned as preventive measures against HHK.
Follow-up
The risk of hypertensive heart disease can be reduced with a health-conscious lifestyle. Therefore, follow-up care also focuses on reducing risk factors. Obesity and excessive use of medications should therefore be avoided. A balanced alternation of activity and rest helps patients get fit again. This includes regular exercise, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and avoiding nicotine and alcohol. Low-fat, vitamin-rich foods and an adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids improve the immune system. In addition, special relaxation methods are available to those affected, with which they can prevent or at least limit the usual complaints of heart disease. Conscious, gentle sports such as hiking, yoga and swimming do not put too much strain on the body and still provide sufficient exercise. With lifestyle changes, the outlook for stronger health improves. Although patients often do not fully recover, symptoms decrease dramatically. With medical care and also physical therapy, patients learn to live more consciously and pay attention to their body signals. The preventive measures also have a positive impact on self-esteem and improve the quality of life in several ways.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Anyone with hypertensive heart disease should consider important self-help measures. After all, the heart is the engine of the body and hypertensive heart disease affects the entire heart muscle. Since the symptom also affects the functioning of other organs, it is advisable for the sufferer to refrain from smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, as well as high-fat food. All these components unnecessarily burden the cardiovascular system. In addition, the feeling of pressure and tightness in the chest and throat, states of freezing, exhaustion as well as the feeling of heavy limbs are counteracted. For everyday life, it means avoiding stress and extreme physical strain and allowing oneself sufficient periods of rest. Self-help groups and therapists have a supporting effect in mastering everyday life with hypertensive heart disease, especially if dietary measures have been introduced at the same time. Furthermore, patients can regularly check their cholesterol and blood sugar levels themselves and switch to a diet rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Gentle exercise such as yoga, swimming or hiking keeps the body fit. Anyone affected by the symptom or heart failure should adjust their lifestyle sensibly, otherwise they risk angina pectoris or sudden cardiac death.If, nevertheless, circulatory and cardiac rhythm disturbances as well as inexplicable restlessness occur unexpectedly, a rest position must be taken as a self-help measure and the immediate clarification by the medical emergency service must take place.
