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In order to determine whether you have hypertensive heart disease or not tests performed are cardiac stress test, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, echocardiogram and coronary angiogram..Hypertensive heart disease may report headaches, chest pain, swollen feet, fatigue, and shortness of breath on exertion and/or at rest. The individual may report episodes of interrupted sleep due to breathing problems (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea), a symptom characteristic of congestive heart failure, or may have noticed an irregular heartbeat or rapid pulse. They may have no knowledge of having high blood pressure or may report being diagnosed with hypertension and may have had drug therapy prescribed or dietary and lifestyle changes recommended. A family history of high blood pressure may be reported.

Hypertensive Heart Disease Tests:

1.Fluid in the lungs or abnormal heart sounds (heard by listening to the chest with a stethoscope)
2.Enlargement of the heart
3.Elevated blood pressure

Late in the history of the condition, there may be signs of heart failure, including lung (pulmonary) congestion.

An ECG may be abnormal, showing an enlarged heart, an irregular heart beat, or evidence of lack of oxygen to the heart muscle (ischemia).

Physical Exam: High blood pressure (hypertension) is present, although the values and level of severity vary considerably among individuals. Changes in the small blood vessels (arterioles) of the eyes may be noted during examination. The pulse may be irregular or rapid. Listening to the heart through a stethoscope (auscultation) may reveal an irregular heart rhythm, heart murmurs, or extra heart sounds (gallops). In advanced cases of hypertensive heart disease, the individual may have an enlarged liver, swelling of the feet and ankles, and other signs of congestive heart failure.

Hypertensive Heart Disease Diagnosis

1.An echocardiogram
2.A coronary angiogram
3.A chest x-ray
4.A chest CT scan (rarely performed for this diagnosis)

Tests: An electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest x-ray are typically performed to confirm an enlarged left ventricle and related cardiac abnormalities. Blood tests may include cardiac enzymes and electrolytes. Renal function may be evaluated by collecting a 24-hour urine specimen and measuring the filtration rate of the kidneys (glomerular filtration rate). Blood serum levels of protein (albumin) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) may also be measured.

Your doctor will be able to diagnose a heart disease brought on by hypertension through a physical examination as well as through laboratory procedures. These medical steps include looking for the symptoms of heart disease, which include elevated blood pressure levels, enlargement of the heart, fluid in the lungs and abnormal sounds emanating from the heart area.

During a physical examination, a stethoscope is the primary tool used to listen to fluid build-up in the lungs as well as the abnormal sounds in the heart. Laboratory procedures utilize sophisticated equipment like a chest X-ray machine, a coronary angiogram or an echocardiogram, all of which are used to determine the degree of enlargement of the heart or the extent of the hypertensive heart disease.

Just as the name implies, you should take the necessary action – seeing your doctor immediately, that is – if you suspect that you may have a hypertensive heart ailment. Otherwise, you are setting your self up for possible complications like angina, arrhythmia, heart attack, heart failure and sudden death. Indeed, these are not complications that you will want to happen on yourself.