Complications
The excessive pressure on arterial walls caused by high blood pressure may have serious effects on the body. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it is left uncontrolled, the greater the damage on the body. Any of the following conditions may result from uncontrolled hypertension.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Heart Attack or Stroke
Hypertension causes arteries to become blocked, preventing blood flow to the heart. This blockage can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Aneurysm
High blood pressure may cause vessels to bulge and weaken. If an aneurysm forms, it may burst, which can be life-threatening.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Heart Failure
Because the heart must overwork itself in order to pump blood throughout the body, the walls of the chamber thicken. Eventually, the heart may be unable to pump blood with its thick walls. If this occurs, the heart may no longer be able to provide the body with blood, leading to heart failure.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Kidney Disease or Failure
Due to hypertension, the vessels in the kidneys may become weak and narrow. This keeps the kidneys from functioning correctly and may cause kidney failure or disease.
Vision Loss
Vision loss may occur when the blood vessels in the eyes become narrow or tear due to high blood pressure.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome involves many disorders of the body's metabolism, including high blood pressure. The conditions may lead to the development of diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. One sign of the development of metabolic syndrome is a large waist circumference.
Memory and Learning Problems
High blood pressure may also affect one's ability to think, remember, and learn.
Dementia
When blocked blood vessels result from uncontrolled hypertension, blood flow to the brain may be limited. The lack of blood in the brain may lead to a certain type of dementia known as vascular dementia.
Sexual Dysfunction
High blood pressure may lead to erectile dysfunction in men or low libido in women.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Angina
Angina is chest pain and it is a common symptom of Microvascular Disease (MVD), which is a heart disease that can be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
When arteries become thick and stiff, they are unable to carry blood to the rest of the body in order to keep organs functioning. This may cause PAD along with pain and fatigue in the patient.
