A 39-year-old member asked:
Why does high blood pressure increase my risk for coronary heart disease?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Nassir Azimianswered
Interventional Cardiology 25 years experience
Artery hardening.: The arterial walls start to thicken and harden in response to elevated blood pressures. This is part of the process that leads to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. High blood pressure is considered one of the primary risk factors for coronary heart disease. Blood pressure is the force. Years of high blood pressure can damage your arteries, causing them to harden and narrow.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Christopher Colleranswered
Family Medicine 15 years experience
Working too hard: If your heart is pumping harder, like any muscle, it will get bigger. We tend to think that big muscles are good, but this is not necessarily so with the heart. As the heart muscle gets bigger, the demand for oxygen increases. The coronary arteries which supply the heart are likely already harboring some plaque and have narrowing. Essentially, the arteries cannot meet the demand of the heart.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
United Kingdom
A 55-year-old female asked:
Can high blood pressure cause angina pain? I don't have coronary heart disease. But can get pain on exertion
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Chapmananswered
Cardiology 43 years experience
Yes: When the heart has to work harder because of significant hypertension, it requires more oxygen. In some cases, the oxygen demand may be more then even normal coronary arteries can provide. If that is the case, then after your blood pressure is treated your chest pain should resolve.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 6, 2016
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