Hypertension can wreck havoc on many body organs. Its effects on the
heart are especially damaging. High blood pressure and heart disease
are closely connected.
Moderate to high blood pressure significantly increases the load on the
left side of the heart. Arterioles are often diseased or constricted,
which increases resistance to blood flow. When this happens, the heart
has to work much more to pump blood into the arterial system including
the aorta.
When any muscle is overused, it tends to increase in size and bulk. The
heart muscles react the same way. An enlarged heart is a sign of
trouble.
Heart enlargement can be detected in several ways. A chest x-ray can
reveal it. So can an electrocardiogram or even a physical examination.
In many high blood pressure patients, the walls of the left ventricle
thicken. This increases the workload on the heart. Eventually, the
heart falters and the left side of the heart no longer pumps blood
adequately.
When this happens, major organs and tissues of the body are denied
sufficient blood supply. The affected person becomes lethargic and
weak.
Because of the higher pressure in the left ventricle, blood from the
lungs cannot drain into the top compartment of the heart (the atrium).
As a result, the lung tissues get congested which brings on bouts of
breathlessness and coughs.
The patient may have a dry cough or even frothy phlegm with blood
stains in it. This is a very scary experience to the sufferer and
onlookers. In an acute attack, it seems to the patient that he or she
is choking to death.
Breathlessness due to heart problems may be first noticed during
prolonged physical exertion. If the condition has progressed further,
breathlessness may occur even while resting.
This is a serious situation and needs to be tacked immediately. If this
damage worsens, the right side of the heart will be affected as well.
When pressure builds up in the right atrium, it will be difficult for
veins to drain blood into it.
When the heart's condition deteriorates to this stage, the external
jugular veins may become enlarged and more prominent. These veins are
anyway close to the skin and may be visible even in healthy adults, but
stress on the heart can increase their protrusion.
There are several other symptoms of right side heart failure. They
include an enlarged liver, swollen ankles and feet, loss of appetite,
swollen abdomen and lower urine flow.
High blood pressure and heart disease frequently have a cause and
effect relationship. Making necessary lifestyle changes can help combat
both.