AboutWilliam B. Jeffries, Ph.D. Expertise Questions on the mechanism of action and side effects of antihypertensive drugs, the epidemiology of hypertension and the cardiovascular complications of untreated or undertreated high blood pressure
Experience I have been an investigator in the field of hypertension research for over 20 years.
Organizations Council for High Blood Pressure Research
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
American Heart Association
Publications Hypertension, Journal of Hypertension, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Molecular Pharmacology, American Journal of Physiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Dentistry
Question I am a 27 year old veteran, 180 lbs, 6ft tall.
On my final physical examination before getting out of the
Military , the Doctor told me that I might have
HYPERTENSION, I was sent to have a heart check ( I am
assuming everybody that might have Hypertension gets this
heart test) the results was that I was almost borderline
with an enlarged heart. So I was sent for a second test (
using a ultrasound machine, similar to the one used for
pregnant females). I never got a official result, but
everybody at the Veteran hospital kept telling me "No News
was Good News" that if the Doctor did not contact me was
because the results were good. I have being able to control
my blood pressure with a healthy diet and exercise. But I
still worry about having an enlarged heart. I would
appreciate if you can give me any advise.
Answer Hypertension can cause an enlarged heart, a condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy. It is usually the result of prolonged, untreated hypertension. You are probably right in assuming that your test results were normal, since a responsible physician would have contacted you had he/she found such a condition. If the lingering doubt bothers you, you should ask your doctor about this and he/she will take steps to ensure your cardiovascular health.
