Different Stages Of Hypertension Heart Disease
Different Stages Of Hypertension Heart Disease
Introduction
Most people are unaware of hypertension until some of the symptoms manifest. Known to progress silently, the damage is done slowly over a period of time leading to complications. Here is a look at the different stages of hypertension heart disease and medications used in the treatment of the condition.
What Is The Connection Between Night Leg Cramps And Heart Disease?
As part of the understanding of hypertension heart disease it is necessary to learn more about certain symptoms. Night leg cramps refer to the sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that are experienced in the calf or foot. Though there is a likelihood of it being a common condition, it is not to be dismissed in all cases. There is a likelihood of it being connected to heart disease, as outlined below:
- Peripheral artery disease – In this condition the blood vessels are narrowed, restricting flow of blood. This could cause cramps, and is known to occur in the nights when flow of blood is less. This is sometimes connected to atherosclerosis, and indicates increased risk of cardiovascular conditions.
- Heart failure and fluid retention – The likelihood of fluid retention and poor circulation is high among people with heart disease. This causes swelling in the legs, muscle fatigue, resulting in leg cramps. This is indirectly linked to heart failure as a result of poor blood flow and fluid buildup.
- Electrolyte – Diuretics are known cause imbalance of important electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. This can result in muscle cramps, and people on heart medications, need to check electrolyte levels in the event of experiencing muscle cramps.
- Circulation – Vascular diseases linked to heart problems impact blood circulation, causing muscle cramps as a result of lesser oxygen supply.
When the night leg cramps are frequent, and occur alongside other symptoms, it could point to an underlying cardiovascular condition. Symptoms could include swelling, fatigue, pain in the chest, or difficulty breathing.
What Are The Different Heart Disease Drugs?
Treatment of hypertension heart disease involves the use of some of the following medicines. Each of these medications work on specific areas of cardiovascular health.
- Antihypertensives – These blood pressure medications lower high blood pressure and prevent damage to the heart and blood vessels. Examples include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Calcium Channel Blockers, Beta-Blockers and diuretics.
- Antiplatelets and anticoagulants – These medications prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Examples include antiplatelets like aspirin, clopidogrel, anticoagulants like warfarin, apixaban and rivaroxaban.
- Cholesterol-lowering medications – These regulate high cholesterol levels and prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries. Examples include statins like atorvastatin, simvastatin, PCSK9 inhibitors like evolocumab, alirocumab, bile acid sequestrants like cholestyramine, fibrates like fenofibrate, and Niacin.
- Heart failure medications – These medicines improve the ability of the heart in pumping blood and to regulate fluid retention. Examples include ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, Beta-Blockers, diuretics, aldosterone antagonists like spironolactone, eplerenone and digoxin.
- Antiarrhythmic medicines – Help to prevent abnormal heart rhythms and examples include Class I Agents like procainamide, Class II Agents like Beta-blockers, Class III Agents like amiodarone, sotalol, and Class IV Agents like calcium channel blockers.
- Nitrates and vasodilators – Help in treating pain in the chest pain and to improve flow of blood. Examples include nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, hydralazine.
- SGLT2 inhibitors – Used for managing diabetes, indirectly helping to manage heart conditions. Examples include dapagliflozin, empagliflozin.
- Others – Various other medicines help in resolving various issues. Examples include Ranolazine, Ivabradine.
Options For Health Insurance For Pre-Existing Heart Disease In India
An important aspect for people with hypertension heart disease is ensuring insurance coverage for the disease. This will help tide over financial requirements in the event of complications. In India there are health insurance options that cover pre-existing heart diseases. However, such coverage comes with specific conditions. Here is a quick overview of health insurance for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
Special plans – Pre-existing heart health conditions are covered by specialized plans. For instance, there are plans for heart patients. These plans are known to cover expenses towards surgeries, hospitalization, and treatment. Many insurers offer special plans, and prominent examples include Star Health and Allied Insurance through such as Star Cardiac Care.
Standard Insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions – Various insurers offer standard health insurance policies with cover for pre-existing conditions. However, this is made available with a waiting period for the coverage for pre-existing conditions. For instance, this period could be anywhere between 2 to 4 years.
Critical illness – Additionally, patients can seek comprehensive coverage for critical illness. These plans typically cover major health events including heart attacks, bypass surgeries, and strokes. However, the premium for pre-existing conditions could be higher with additional specific clauses.
Group health insurance – Coverage through employer provided group health insurance policies typically have better, favorable or reasonable terms for pre-existing conditions. Employees are more likely to receive immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions without having to sit through the waiting period of individual plans. Additionally, this may also extend to family members with similar terms.
Points to remember –
- Policies that cover pre-existing conditions or plans labelled as specialized heart insurance plans are known to have relatively higher premiums.
- This may also entail a detailed medical history and medical examination prior to coverage commencement.
- Policies offer the option of riders for extra coverage for specific needs, including heart conditions.
Top insurers with policies offering coverage for heart disease – Here is a list of top insurers offering coverage for heart disease. It is important to add that there are other insurers as well, offering insurance cover for heart diseases. This is only a small list and not complete or comprehensive. This listicle does not promote, endorse or recommend any of the following insurers or policies.
- Star Health and Allied Insurance
- Max Bupa, presently known as Niva Bupa.
- HDFC ERGO.
- Care Health Insurance.
Steps To Help Prevent Adverse Health Conditions
The first step to prevent adverse health conditions should always be diagnosis of conditions. This could include undergoing genetic testing for inherited conditions or congenital conditions. This will give advance information about future or lifetime risk of heart disease related conditions and predispositions. Advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamil Nadu offer genetic testing for heart-related conditions. A sample of blood or saliva is all that is required for in-depth analysis and for generating detailed reports that will then be used by cardiologists for recommendations.
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Shetty B s a cardiologist in Chennai, with extensive experience in the field. He completed his MBBS from Madurai Kamaraj University, followed by an MD in General Medicine and a DM in Cardiology from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (TNMGRMU).