Symptom 7: High Blood Pressure: AHCM’s Hidden Handicap
When talking about apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure is not the most commonly mentioned symptom, but it’s an important one to keep an eye on. For some, the disorder might lead to hypertensive heart disease due to the pressure overload on the left ventricle. Blood pressure is essentially the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of your body’s arteries. In AHCM, the apical septal myocardium is abnormally thick, which may lead to increased resistance and pressure within the heart.
The thickened walls of the heart can make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, which may result in high blood pressure. But here’s the catch. AHCM does not cause high blood pressure per se but exacerbates it if you’re already predisposed. It’s like adding fuel to the fire. That’s why it’s critical to monitor blood pressure regularly if you’ve been diagnosed with AHCM or have a family history of the condition.
The signs of high blood pressure are subtle, and it’s often called the “silent killer” because you may not even realize you have it. You won’t wake up one day with a headache or feel dizzy and attribute it to high blood pressure. It creeps in unnoticed. Hence, regular check-ups are essential to keep track of your heart’s health. It’s not about just managing your AHCM symptoms, but about preventing other possible complications.
The twist in the tale is, uncontrolled high blood pressure can further aggravate the symptoms of AHCM, resulting in a vicious cycle that’s hard to break. It can lead to more severe conditions like heart failure or stroke. This shows how interconnected the symptoms are, and managing one effectively can have a domino effect on the others.
Ultimately, managing high blood pressure involves a combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and possibly medication. In the grand scheme of things, it may seem like one symptom among many. But managing it effectively can significantly improve the quality of life for someone living with AHCM. (7)
