Because hypertension is frequently asymptomatic, the damage it causes to your body may not become apparent until years after the condition has already progressed. You run the risk of experiencing serious complications, some of which could even be fatal if your hypertension is not treated.
The following is a list of complications that can arise from hypertension.
Damaged arteries
Arteries in good health are both flexible and robust. When the arteries and vessels in the body are healthy, the flow of blood is unrestricted and unimpeded.
When someone has hypertension, their arteries become more rigid, tighter, and less elastic. Because of this damage, it is much simpler for dietary fats to deposit themselves in the arteries and thereby restrict blood flow. Because of this damage, a person’s blood pressure may rise, they may develop blockages, and eventually, they may suffer a heart attack or a stroke.
A compromised heart
When you have hypertension, your heart has to work harder than normal. Because of the greater pressure in your blood vessels, the muscles in your heart have to pump more frequently and with a greater force than a healthy lifestyle should have to in order to function properly.
This could lead to an enlargement of the heart. Your risk of the following conditions increases if you have an enlarged heart:
- Cardiac insufficiency
- Arrhythmias
- Sudden cardiac death
- Attack of the heart
Injury to the brain
For optimal functioning, your brain must have a constant supply of blood that is rich in oxygen. If left untreated, high blood pressure can decrease the amount of blood that reaches your brain.
- Transient ischemic attacks are the medical term for brief interruptions in the flow of blood to the brain (TIAs).
- . The death of brain cells is a direct result of significant obstructions in the flow of blood. This condition is referred to as a stroke.
Your memory as well as your ability to learn, recall, speak, and reason may be negatively affected if your hypertension is not under control. The effects of hypertension that is not under control are frequently not eliminated or reversed by treatment for hypertension. However, it does reduce the likelihood of problems occurring in the future.
Takeaway
The United States has a significant problem with people suffering from high blood pressure, which is also referred to as hypertension. If you have recently been given a diagnosis of high blood pressure, the treatment plan that will be recommended to you will differ depending on the factors involved. These include the severity of your hypertension as well as the medication that your physician believes will be most effective in treating you.
The great news is that in numerous instances of hypertension, making adjustments to your way of life can be effective tools for controlling the condition or even reversing the diagnosis. These adjustments include increasing the proportion of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables in your diet, increasing the amount of time you spend being physically active, reducing the amount of sodium you consume, and cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink.
It is essential to have your blood pressure measured at regular intervals in order to detect hypertension in its early stages, which frequently does not manifest with any symptoms. The earlier that you get a diagnosis of severe hypertension, the sooner that it can be managed and possibly even reversed. Since severe high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, getting a diagnosis as soon as possible is important.