What is hypertensive heart disease?

Hypertensive heart disease is a long-term condition that develops over many years in people who have high blood pressure. It’s a group of medical problems ― like heart failure and conduction arrhythmias ― that can happen when you don’t control your high blood pressure (hypertension). Chronic high blood pressure (higher than 120/80 mmHg) causes hypertensive heart disease. As people get older and continue to have high blood pressure, their risk of heart disease increases. Heart failure occurs most often in people older than 65. Chronic high blood pressure puts a strain on your heart and makes it harder for it to pump your blood. Your heart muscle can get thick and weak, possibly leading to heart failure. The walls of your blood vessels can also thicken because of high blood pressure, and this becomes more dangerous when cholesterol collects inside the blood vessels. Then your heart attack and stroke risks go up. High blood pressure makes men twice as likely and women three times more likely to get heart failure. However, people who manage their high blood pressure can greatly reduce their risk of heart failure. People who have hypertensive heart disease with heart failure have a higher risk for:

• Decompensated heart failure.
• Acute coronary syndrome.
• Sudden cardiac death.

What are the types of hypertensive heart disease?

High blood pressure makes it more difficult for your heart to push blood through your blood vessels. When plaque collects in your blood vessels or part of your heart muscle gets bigger because of high blood pressure, you can get these problems:

• Coronary artery disease.
• Left ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged heart).

What are the complications of hypertensive heart disease?

Complications of hypertensive heart disease include:

• Heart failure.
• Arrhythmia.
• Stroke.
• Ischemic heart disease.
• Sudden cardiac death.

High blood pressure puts people at risk for:

• Atrial fibrillation.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Coronary artery disease.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Retinal disease.
• Peripheral arterial disease.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Aortic aneurysm.
• Cerebrovascular disease.

How common is hypertensive heart disease?

One out of every three adults in America has high blood pressure, but only half of those with the diagnosis have their blood pressure under control. Hypertensive cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of illness and death due to high blood pressure.

Who is at risk for hypertensive heart disease?

You’re at risk for hypertensive heart disease if you:

• Have high blood pressure.
• Don’t exercise.
• Have diabetes.
• Have high cholesterol.
• Are older than 45.
• Are overweight.
• Smoke or use tobacco products.
• Eat a high salt diet.
• Drink alcohol.