Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Hypertensive heart disease

Treatment:

The goals of treatment are to reduce blood pressure and control the heart disease. Treatment of heart disease depends on the conditions that are present (acute myocardial infarction, angina , heart failure, and so on).

Common medications include diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and direct vasodilators. intravenous diazoxide or nitroprusside may be prescribed if hypertension is extremely severe and intensive care is necessary.

Blood pressure should be checked at regular intervals (as recommended by your health care provider) to monitor the condition. Frequent blood pressure measurements performed at home are often recommended for patients who have difficult-to-control high blood pressure. Diabetes , hyperlipidemia, and other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease should be carefully controlled.

In addition to medications, recommended lifestyle changes include weight loss, exercise, and dietary adjustments. Dietary recommendations include increasing fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. Whole grains, poultry, and fish are also generally recommended. Trans fats and saturated fats should be avoided.

Patients may benefit from reducing salt intake. If you smoke, stop smoking -- cigarettes are a major cause of hypertension and related heart disease. Reducing excessive alcohol consumption may also help.

Expectations (prognosis):

The risk for complications depends heavily on the extent of left ventricle enlargement (hypertrophy). The larger this section of the heart becomes, the greater the chance of complications. Treating hypertension may reduce the amount of left ventricle damage.

Several studies have shown that certain medications such as the ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and the diuretic spironolactone can reverse left ventricular hypertrophy and prolong survival in patients with heart failure from hypertensive heart disease.

Nonetheless, this is a serious disease that carries the risk of sudden death.

Complications:

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if hypertension has been diagnosed and symptoms develop.

Hypertension

Hypertension

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com