How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Your Heart?
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With high blood pressure being so normal nowadays, it’s like every third person has it, there is a high chance you surely know at least 4-5 people who are suffering from this condition, has it ever crossed your mind how does high blood pressure affect your heart? Well, you are not alone if it hasn’t, individuals who are suffering from it don’t give it much thought until or unless they start feeling its symptoms or the blood pressure gets severely high and they need medical attention.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause significant damage to the heart and is one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. So, how does high blood pressure affect your heart? Let’s dive into this blog and find the answer.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Before we dive into the question “How does high blood pressure affect your heart?” we will understand what high blood pressure is. Firstly blood pressure is the force from which the blood is pushed against the walls of the arteries, when your heart pumps blood to your body.
It’s measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This pressure is divided into two numbers: systolic (the upper number) and diastolic (the lower number).
- Systolic Pressure: The pressure when the heart beats and pumps blood.
- Diastolic Pressure: The pressure when the heart rests between beats.
These two numbers make up the blood pressure of an individual. A normal blood pressure reading is usually around 120/80 mmHg
When the systolic number consistently exceeds 120 mmHg or the diastolic number exceeds 80 mmHg, this is considered high blood pressure, or hypertension. Over time, consistently high blood pressure strains your heart and blood vessels.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Usually, High blood pressure won’t show visible symptoms, which is why it’s so dangerous. Many people are not aware that they have high blood pressure until they go to a regular medical checkup or until the damage to their heart and blood vessels becomes severe. In some cases, when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels, some people may experience symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pain
- Nosebleeds
- Blurred Vision
- Nausea & Vomiting
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Hypertension or High blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are within your control and others that aren’t. The primary causes include:
- Genetics: If anybody from your paternal or maternal side has a history of high blood pressure, there may be a higher chance that you are at risk of hypertension, your genes can influence your blood pressure and put you at risk. That is why it is important to tell your doctor about the history of hypertension in your family, so the doctor can advise you to take precautions or give you some tips that can prevent the condition from occurring.
- Age: As a person ages, with time blood vessels become less elastic naturally, and there are higher chances your blood pressure can rise, that is why hypertension is more common in the older population compared to the younger ones.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese puts your heart at risk immensely, being obese puts extra strain on the heart, which puts extra strain on the heart to pump blood, due to which blood pressure rises, excess fat can also damage the kidney which helps in the regulation of blood pressure.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: One major factor contributing to high blood pressure is physical inactivity. Exercising lowers the risk of hypertension by maintaining the health and strength of the heart and blood vessels.
- Poor Diet: High blood pressure can develop as a result of diets heavy in processed foods, harmful fats, and sodium. Maintaining normal blood pressure levels requires eating a heart-healthy, balanced diet.
- Chronic Stress: Temporary increases in blood pressure can be caused by prolonged stress. Chronic stress, particularly when coupled with unhealthy habits like smoking or overeating, can eventually result in persistently elevated blood pressure.
How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Your Heart?
So, how does high blood pressure affect your heart? Let’s take a deeper look at the process. When blood pressure remains high over a long period, the added strain can cause several problems for the heart.
- Enlarged Heart (Left Ventricular Hypertrophy): One of the common effects of high blood pressure is the thickening of the heart’s left ventricle, the chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body. This condition, known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), occurs because the heart is working harder to overcome the pressure in the arteries. While initially, the thickened heart muscle may help the heart pump more forcefully, over time, it can impair the heart’s ability to pump efficiently, leading to heart failure.
- Coronary Artery Disease: High blood pressure contributes to the development of atherosclerosis or the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Over time, the high pressure damages the inner lining of blood vessels, making it easier for fatty plaques to accumulate. This restricts blood flow to the heart, leading to coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD can cause chest pain (angina), heart attacks, and other severe complications.
- Heart Failure: As high blood pressure puts more and more strain on the heart, the heart muscle becomes weaker and less efficient. This can eventually lead to heart failure, a condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Symptoms of heart failure include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, and fluid retention.
- Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeats): Hypertension can affect the heart’s electrical system, leading to arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Atrial fibrillation (AFib), one of the most common arrhythmias associated with high blood pressure, can increase the risk of blood clots, which may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Arrhythmias can further weaken the heart by reducing its ability to pump blood effectively.
- Aneurysms: High blood pressure can weaken the walls of blood vessels, increasing the risk of developing an aneurysm—a bulging of the vessel wall. Aneurysms can occur in any artery but are most dangerous in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Increased Risk of Stroke: Long-term hypertension can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can block blood vessels in the brain and lead to a stroke. People with high blood pressure are at a significantly higher risk of stroke, especially if they also have other risk factors like smoking or diabetes.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage High Blood Pressure
If you’re wondering how does high blood pressure affect your heart, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to manage and lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of damage to your heart and overall health. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help:
- Eat a Healthy Diet: A heart-healthy diet is essential in managing high blood pressure. Focus on foods rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limiting sodium intake is also crucial for controlling blood pressure.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week. Regular exercise helps strengthen the heart and improve blood circulation.
- Lose Weight: Carrying excess weight increases the strain on your heart and raises blood pressure. Even losing a small amount of weight can have a significant impact on lowering blood pressure.
- Reduce Stress: Chronic stress can exacerbate high blood pressure. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, can help keep stress levels in check.
- Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking: Drinking alcohol in moderation and quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure and related heart problems.
- Medication: In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be enough. If your blood pressure is consistently high, your doctor may prescribe medication to help control it. Common medications include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
In conclusion, how does high blood pressure affect your heart? The long-term strain of high blood pressure can lead to serious cardiovascular problems, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and aneurysms. However, with early detection and appropriate lifestyle changes, it is possible to manage high blood pressure and reduce its impact on the heart. Regular monitoring, a healthy diet, physical activity, and stress management are key to maintaining a healthy heart and preventing complications related to high blood pressure.
Taking control of your blood pressure today can help protect your heart and ensure a healthier future. Always consult with your healthcare provider to develop a plan that works best for you.
