The body can be silently harmed by high blood pressure (hypertension) for years before symptoms appear. Inability to function, a poor quality of life, or even a fatal heart attack or stroke might result from uncontrolled high blood pressure. In order to lower the risk of life-threatening consequences, high blood pressure can be controlled through treatment and lifestyle modifications.
DAMAGE TO THE ARTERIES
Strong, elastic, and flexible arteries indicate good health. Their interior lining is smooth, allowing blood to circulate easily and provide nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and important organs. Blood pressure in the arteries progressively rises as a result of high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypotension may result in:
– Damaged and narrowed arteries
– Aneurysm
DAMAGE TO THE HEART
High blood pressure can cause many heart problems, including:
– Coronary artery disease
– Enlarged left heart
– Heart failure
DAMAGE TO THE BRAIN
A healthy blood supply is necessary for the brain to function correctly. The following are some ways that high blood pressure may impact the brain:
– Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
– Stroke
– Dementia
– Mild cognitive impairment
DAMAGE TO THE KIDNEYS
Healthy blood arteries are needed for the kidneys to filter extra fluid and waste from the blood. The kidneys’ blood arteries might get damaged by high blood pressure. High blood pressure and diabetes together might increase the harm. High blood pressure-related kidney issues include:
– Kidney scarring (glomerulosclerosis)
– Kidney failure
Damage to the eyes
– Damage to the blood vessels in the retina (retinopathy)
– Fluid buildup under the retina (choroidopathy)
– Nerve damage (optic neuropathy)
SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
As men reach the age of 50, erectile dysfunction, the inability to obtain and sustain an erection, becomes more prevalent. But erectile dysfunction is more common in men who have high blood pressure. That’s because low blood pressure can prevent blood from reaching the penis due to reduced blood flow.
High blood pressure can cause sexual dysfunction in women as well. Reduced blood flow to the vagina can cause vaginal dryness, decreased sexual desire or arousal, or trouble eliciting an orgasm.
Usually a chronic illness, high blood pressure damages the body over time. However, occasionally a blood pressure increase is so abrupt and severe that it need rapid medical attention, frequently involving hospitalisation. These effects of high blood pressure include:
– Blindness
– Chest pain
– Complications in pregnancy (preeclampsia or eclampsia)
– Heart attack
– Memory loss, personality changes, trouble concentrating
– Severe damage to the body’s main artery (aortic dissection)
– Stroke
– Sudden impaired pumping of the heart
– Sudden loss of kidney function
Contact Dr. Barbara Karin Vela today to schedule an appointment.