Yes, high blood pressure (hypertension) can definitely contribute to coronary heart disease (CHD). Here's how it happens:
- High blood pressure puts constant force on artery walls, making them thicker and less flexible
- This can lead to fatty plaque buildup inside the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Narrowed arteries reduce Show Full Answer
Yes, high blood pressure (hypertension) can definitely contribute to coronary heart disease (CHD). Here's how it happens:
- High blood pressure puts constant force on artery walls, making them thicker and less flexible
- This can lead to fatty plaque buildup inside the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the heart muscle
- The heart has to work harder, which can thicken and stiffen the heart walls over time
This chain of events increases the risk of chest pain, heart attack, and heart failure. Since blood pressure is currently out of range, and given the medications being taken (diltiazem, ezetimibe, and a blood thinner), it's really important to contact a doctor as soon as possible.
A few things worth knowing:
- Some over-the-counter medications like decongestants and NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) can raise blood pressure and may interact with blood thinners — best to avoid these without checking with a doctor first
- Uncontrolled blood pressure raises the risk of serious heart events
Getting blood pressure back under control is one of the most important steps in managing heart disease. Please don't wait on reaching out to a healthcare provider about this.
October 19
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