Hypertensive Heart Disease

Definition

Hypertensive heart disease is a heart-affecting complication of high blood pressure (hypertension). It is the leading cause of death and illness in individuals with hypertension, and overall affects 7 of 1000 people, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Causes

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Complications

Angina (chest pain)

Cardiac arrythmias
Congestive heart failure
Coronary Heart Disease
Heart attack
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Ischemic heart failure
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Sudden death

Symptoms

Some of the signs and symptoms which may be present with complications of hypertensive heart disease include:

Ankle swelling
Bloating
Chest pain
Cough (in some cases bloody or frothy)
Fatigue
Foot swelling
Frequent urination at night
Irregular pulse
Nausea
Palpitations
Rapid pulse
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) with activity or when waking
Weight gain

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hypertensive heart disease is made by a doctor or medical professional, and diagnostic methods used may include blood pressure tests, checks for abnormal heart sounds, heart enlargement and lung congestion, as well as options such as echocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, chest CT scan, and coronary angiogram.

Treatment

Hypertensive heart disease treatment methods may include:

Blood pressure reduction
Diet changes
Heart disease control
Medications
Reducing alcohol ingestion
Reducing salt ingestion
Regular blood pressure checks
Quitting smoking
Weight loss

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Coronary heart disease

Definition

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition in which proper circulation of blood and oxygen are not provided to the heart and surrounding tissue. This result is due to a narrowing of the small blood vessels, which normally supply the heart with blood and oxygen. Coronary heart disease, a type of cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

Causes

The typical cause of coronary heart disease is a condition known as atherosclerosis, which takes place with plaque and fatty build up on the artery walls, narrowing the vessels.

Risks

Certain conditions are considered to put an individual at greater risk for coronary heart disease. The following are some risk factors:

Age (particularly 40+)
Diabetes
Genetics (heredity)
High blood pressure
High bad cholesterol (LDL)
Increased levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, or homocysteine
Lack of sufficient physical activity
Low good cholesterol (HDL)
Menopause
Obesity
Smoking

Symptoms

Some more frequent symptoms of coronary heart disease include:

Angina (chest pain)
Heart attack
Shortness of breath

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of coronary heart disease is made by a doctor or medical professional, and may be accomplished by a variety of means:

Coronary angiography
Coronary arteriography
Coronary CT angiography
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electron-beam CT (EBCT)
Exercise stress test
Magnetic resonance angiography
Nuclear scan

Treatment

Coronary heart disease treatment methods may include:

Angioplasty with stenting
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Medication
Minimally invasive heart surgery
Proper diet and exercise
Quitting smoking

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