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Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Heart Failure

  • Hypertension and the Heart (SD Solomon and O Vardeny, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Hypertension remains a significant risk factor for development of congestive heart failure CHF), with various mechanisms contributing to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The pathogenesis of myocardial changes includes structural remodeling, left ventricular hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system is a key contributing factor of hypertension, and thus interventions that antagonize these systems promote regression of hypertrophy and heart failure. Control of blood pressure is of paramount importance in improving the prognosis of patients with heart failure.

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Arun Kannan and Rajesh Janardhanan declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Rajesh Janardhanan.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Hypertension and the Heart

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Kannan, A., Janardhanan, R. Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Heart Failure. Curr Hypertens Rep 16, 447 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-014-0447-7

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