Pressure overload refers to the pathological state ofcardiac muscle in which it has to contract while experiencing an excessiveafterload. Pressure overload may affect any of the fourchambers of the heart, though the term is most commonly applied to one of the twoventricles. Chronic pressure overload leads toconcentric hypertrophy of the cardiac muscle, which can in turn lead toheart failure,myocardial ischaemia or, in extreme cases, outflow obstruction.[1]
A forcefulapex beat indicates left ventricular pressure overload, while aright ventricular heave suggests right ventricular pressure overload. Other signs provide evidence for specific causes of pressure overload.Hypertension is diagnosed bysphygmomanometry. A narrowpulse pressure is a sign ofaortic stenosis. Thechest x-ray may show pulmonaryhyperaemia in the case ofpulmonary hypertension, and pulmonaryoligemia inpulmonary stenosis.Pulmonary hypertension is also associated withchronic lung disease.Coarctation of the aorta presents with a significant difference in blood pressure between the upper and lower limbs, asystolicmurmurorradiofemoral delay.[citation needed]
Any obstruction to the outflow of one of the chambers of the heart can lead to pressure overload.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. However, in general, symptomatic relief from pressure overload will not be achieved immediately, but will involve a delayed response following theatrophy of thehypertrophied heart muscle.[citation needed]