What is Hypertension?
High Blood pressure is termed as hypertension. The heart pumps blood to the body under a lot of stress this leads to the risk of cardio attacks or failures. The normal rate at which the blood is pumped by the heart should be 117/76 mm hg. Systolic measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle contracts. Diastolic measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle is in resting mode between beats and refilling itself with blood.
What are Hypertensive heart diseases?
The Heart is an organ that works extensively to pump blood. If it works under extreme pressure it leads to heart damage or a decrease in the efficiency of the heart. Conditions like coronary heart disease or Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are a common occurrence in people with hypertension. Hypertensive heart diseases are the number one killers. Heart research has gone a long way in arresting the growth of heart diseases. Prevention should be the first option for you.
Types of Hypertensive heart diseases:
Our lifestyle changes and working under stressful environments make us susceptible to hypertensive heart diseases. The most common types of hypertensive heart problems are:
- Congestive Heart Failure: The heart sees a reduction of pumping capacity. To make-up for the lost capacity, the chambers of our heart overstretch to hold more blood. The heart muscles weaken and cannot supply the requisite amount of blood. The kidneys also cannot function properly start retaining sodium; there is fluid buildup in all organs of the body eventually leading to heart failure.
- Left ventricular Hypertrophy: The heart muscles start to become thick as an effect of high blood pressure. The heart muscles fail to relax leading to fluid retention increased heart rate eventually leading to heart failure.
- Ischemic Heart disease: Is a condition in which the heart muscles do not receive enough blood supply as an effect of hypertension. Atherosclerosis and coronary heart problems are on account of uncontrolled blood pressure. Deposit of plaque in the arteries leads to disruption of blood supply to the brain causing strokes.
Symptoms of heart failure:
The main signs are:
- Chest pain
- Nausea with chest pain
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Sweating profusely
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Irregular Pulse beats
- Frequent urination at night
It is important to watch out for such signs and symptoms and report them immediately. Getting panicky is not the solution, take help from a person right next to you, heart attacks can be controlled.
How is hypertensive heart disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis based on Physical evaluation of the patient, monitoring vitals such as pulse, blood pressure and suggesting the patient go in for tests such as
- Electrocardiogram
- 2D or 3 D echo
- Cardiac stress test
- Angiogram
The doctor evaluates all the parameters and suggests the best course of treatment.
Treatment options:
The doctors first address the root cause of the problem. They treat hypertension by using blood pressure control medications. They may also prescribe ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and other medication to clear any small blocks of plaque. In cases where surgery is required our expert cardiologist's counsel you, prepare you and then perform the surgery.
Preventive steps:
Prevention is always the best step to prevent heart diseases. Keeping your blood pressure and diabetes is the best preventive measure. Eating a fiber-rich diet, avoiding junk food, colas, fried food help the person maintain the ideal body weight. Exercising, at least three to four times a week prevents cholesterol build-up, keeps the heart muscles healthy.
Why KIMS?
KIMS understands the need for growing heart care in India as many Indians die of heart attacks. We have expert cardiologists, the best cardiac surgeons in Hyderabad who have attended patients with critical heart problems. We are fully equipped to handle patients in emergency situations, and our heart specialists work round the clock to ensure high-risk and critical emergencies are attended and treated on time. Heart care must be on the dot as every passing second is critical for the patient and we ensure the patient is tended to very carefully in the best possible manner. KIMS has the best cardiothoracic surgeons in India is ranked as one of the best hospitals in Hyderabad providing cardiothoracic services. The patients who come to us often rate us as the best heart hospital in the private sector in terms of treatment and affordability.