Hypertensive heart disease refers to a group of disorders that includes heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy (excessive thickening of the heart muscle), and it is the number one cause of death associated with high blood pressure. Heart Failure (HF): Heart failure doesn’t mean the ticker has stopped working, rather, it means that the ticker’s pumping power is weaker than normal or the heart has become less elastic. Blood moves through the pumping chambers of the ticker less effectively with heart failure, and pressure in the ticker increases, making it harder for your heart to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body. The heart’s chambers respond by stretching to hold more blood to compensate for reduced pumping power, which keeps the blood moving, but over time, the heart muscle walls may weaken and become unable to pump as strongly. The kidneys, as a result often respond by causing the body to retain fluid and sodium. The fluid builds...