Hypertensive Heart Disease

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Symptoms & Signs

High blood pressure is known as a silent killer because by the time symptoms of hypertensive heart disease appear, the condition can be life-threatening. Congestive heart failure is one possible result of hypertensive heart disease. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Waking at night short of breath
• Need to sleep with the head elevated to avoid shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular pulse
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• Cough, which may produce frothy or blood-tinged mucus
• Fatigue, weakness, faintness
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Increased frequency of urination at night

Ischemic heart disease is another possible result of hypertensive heart disease. Symptoms include:

• Chest pain, pressure-type, particularly with exertion
• Chest pain associated with:
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath

A third possible result is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.