Definition and Understanding

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when you have higher than normal blood pressure. It's like having a very strong pump in your body that's always working hard.

Symptoms of Hypertensive Heart Disease

• Swollen feet and ankles, or swelling in the hands and face.
• Chest pain that doesn't go away.
• Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, or coughing up pink, frothy mucus.

Types of Hypertension

There are two main types of high blood pressure:

• Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH): This is when the top number (systolic) in your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, but the bottom number (diastolic) is within a normal range.
• Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH): This is when the bottom number (diastolic) in your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, but the top number (systolic) is within a normal range.

High-Risk Factors

If you have one or more of the following high-risk factors, you're more likely to develop hypertensive heart disease:

• Age: The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age.
• Family history: If your family members have high blood pressure, you may be at higher risk as well.
• Race/ethnicity: African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure than other racial or ethnic groups.
• Overtime: Working long hours can lead to high blood pressure.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.
• Sedentary lifestyle: A lack of physical activity can contribute to high blood pressure.
• Smoking: Smoking is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

Complications of Hypertensive Heart Disease

If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, it can lead to serious complications, such as:

• Stroke: High blood pressure can cause a blockage in the brain's blood vessels, leading to a stroke.
• Heart attack: High blood pressure can cause the heart to work harder and increase the risk of a heart attack.
• Pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure can cause high blood pressure in the lungs, which can lead to shortness of breath and other symptoms.
• Kidney disease: High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and increase the risk of kidney failure.

Treatment and Prevention

If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend:

• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure.
• Dietary changes: You may need to make some lifestyle changes, such as reducing sodium intake or increasing potassium-rich foods.

To prevent high blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications:

• Regular physical activity: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day.
• A healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet that is low in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.
• Loss weight: If you're overweight or obese, losing weight can help lower your blood pressure.