Why is high blood pressure a big deal, you may ask? The simple reason is that it puts stress on the heart and the arteries, even if the person involved many feel any different or be aware of what is happening. That added stress can raise the chances for a heart attack or stroke. Sustained high blood pressure results in a health condition called hypertension. When a person has an undiagnosed and unmanaged hypertension, it could lead to sudden death. That is hypertension is commonly referred to as the silent killer.
Over time, problems in the arteries could cut back on blood flow. And since all of the tissues and organs in the body need blood to work well, that means organs like the brain, kidneys as well as vision and sex life can be affected, too. Early diagnosis of hypertension, adopting a healthy lifestyle, taking medication coupled with monitoring of blood pressure and regular medical check-up by a doctor, to get or keep your blood pressure down would do much good now to prevent long-term problems.
Arteries
It all starts with your arteries. Normally, the vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body have a smooth inner lining. Theyre strong and flexible enough to push blood through your body.
High blood pressure changes that. The extra force of the blood can damage the cells on the inside walls of your arteries.
If the pressure doesnt let up, it can cause tears in the lining so its not smooth anymore. Thats where fatty bits, called plaque, get caught and build up. Blood cant move as well around these clogs, which can even block arteries. These deposits can also make the walls stiff so its harder to move the blood.
This damage can make the artery wall stretch and bulge out like a balloon. The bump is called an aneurysm. It can break open and bleed.
Heart
The heart is a muscle, and it needs blood, too. When its supply lines cant deliver enough, you could have: irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), chest pain (angina), and heart attack.
To push blood through stiff or clogged arteries, your heart has to work harder. An overworked heart can become larger than normal. Then the walls of the heart muscle lose strength and cant pump blood well. This could lead to a heart attack or heart failure. The chances are greater if you already have heart problems.
Brain
High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. When an artery in your brain tears, leaks, or gets clogged, it can stop blood from getting to brain cells. Depending on what part of your brain loses blood and what it does, you could have problems with language, vision, movement, or anything else your brain controls. It could be temporary if the blood flow is restored, or the damage may be permanent if the cells die. A lessened blood supply to the brain can also keep you from thinking clearly and remembering. It can cause a condition called vascular dementia.
Kidneys
About 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure also have kidney disease. The kidneys rely on a network of tiny blood vessels to get supply of oxygen and nutrients and to filter waste from the body. When the vessels get clogged, the kidneys cant do their job.
Healthy kidneys play a role in keeping your blood pressure in check, too, so when theyre damaged, your blood pressure could go up, which then causes more kidney trouble, in an ongoing loop. This could lead to kidney failure.
Eyes
Long-term high blood pressure can squeeze off blood flow and damage the small blood vessels in your eyes. Fluid may build up under your retina, the part of your eye where images focus. These things can lead to problems including blurry, distorted, and lost vision. You could also lose your sight when your optic nerve doesnt get enough blood.
Genitals
Less blood getting to your sexual organs can cause erectile dysfunction in men and a lower sex drive for women.
Legs, hips, and stomach
Narrow and blocked arteries in the lower part of your body especially the legs can cause pain and cramping. Because it is affecting blood vessels that arent near your heart, your doctor may call this peripheral artery disease (PAD). It can make muscles in your legs and hips sore and tired when you walk or climb stairs.
Bones
High blood pressure may make you urinate out too much calcium. If your body pulls calcium from your bones to make up for that, you could get osteoporosis. Older women with high blood pressure are more likely to have trouble with weak bones that break easily.
Sleep Apnea
About a third to half of people with high blood pressure also have this condition, which is a kind of interrupted breathing while you sleep. High blood pressure can trigger it or make it worse. Your odds are higher if you have a hard time controlling your blood pressure. Unfortunately, the poor rest that comes from sleep apnea can, in turn, raise your blood pressure.
Culled from webmd.com
See more here:
Effects of high blood pressure on the body - Daily Sun
- Hypertension: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology - Medscape Reference - April 10th, 2018 [April 10th, 2018]
- High blood pressure (hypertension) - Symptoms and causes ... - May 18th, 2018 [May 18th, 2018]
- 10 Causes of Hypertension - A Diet High In Salt Content - June 21st, 2018 [June 21st, 2018]
- Homeopathy Hypertension Remedies | High Blood Pressure ... - July 5th, 2018 [July 5th, 2018]
- European Society of Hypertension - July 7th, 2018 [July 7th, 2018]
- List of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Medications (259 ... - July 26th, 2018 [July 26th, 2018]
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Charts, Symptoms, Diet ... - September 2nd, 2018 [September 2nd, 2018]
- Vitamin D and hypertension - September 8th, 2018 [September 8th, 2018]
- 2014 Guideline for Management of High Blood Pressure - September 29th, 2018 [September 29th, 2018]
- Essential hypertension - Wikipedia - September 30th, 2018 [September 30th, 2018]
- Hypertension Treatment & Drugs | Hypertension Causes ... - September 30th, 2018 [September 30th, 2018]
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) - October 13th, 2018 [October 13th, 2018]
- Hypotension - Wikipedia - October 30th, 2018 [October 30th, 2018]
- Hypertension | pathology | Britannica.com - October 30th, 2018 [October 30th, 2018]
- Hypertension | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine - November 10th, 2018 [November 10th, 2018]
- 2014 Guideline for Management of High Blood Pressure - JAMA - November 18th, 2018 [November 18th, 2018]
- Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension in Adults | Annals ... - November 18th, 2018 [November 18th, 2018]
- 10 Causes of Hypertension - High In Salt Consumption - November 29th, 2018 [November 29th, 2018]
- High blood pressure (hypertension) - Diagnosis and treatment ... - November 29th, 2018 [November 29th, 2018]
- High Blood Pressure Symptoms - Hypertension Symptoms - December 9th, 2018 [December 9th, 2018]
- Hypertension - Medscape Reference - December 21st, 2018 [December 21st, 2018]
- Hypertension - Lab Tests Online - December 21st, 2018 [December 21st, 2018]
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Symptoms ... - OnHealth - December 21st, 2018 [December 21st, 2018]
- High Blood Pressure | Hypertension | MedlinePlus - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- Hypertension - Wikipedia - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- Hypertension: Causes and Risk Factors - verywellhealth.com - January 1st, 2019 [January 1st, 2019]
- Hypertension - Genetics Home Reference - NIH - January 20th, 2019 [January 20th, 2019]
- Hypertension: Nursing Care Management and Study Guide - April 7th, 2019 [April 7th, 2019]
- High blood pressure (hypertension) Disease Reference Guide ... - April 7th, 2019 [April 7th, 2019]
- Pulmonary hypertension - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic - September 14th, 2019 [September 14th, 2019]
- Incident Hypertension Associated With Continuous NSAID Use in Ankylosing Spondylitis - Rheumatology Advisor - October 12th, 2019 [October 12th, 2019]
- The innovative new ways scientists are tackling high blood pressure - Noted - October 12th, 2019 [October 12th, 2019]
- If You Have High Blood Pressure, You May Be at Higher Risk for This Cancer - msnNOW - October 12th, 2019 [October 12th, 2019]
- MODERATO II Study: Cardiac Neuromodulation Significantly Reduces Systolic Blood Pressure - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology - October 12th, 2019 [October 12th, 2019]
- Kidney-heart connection is focus of upcoming HealthyLife seminar - Times Union - October 12th, 2019 [October 12th, 2019]
- High blood pressure: Six foods proven to lower your reading - Express - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Sepetaprost Effective and Safe in Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension - Monthly Prescribing Reference - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- India, Stressed: More than Half of Commuters in Metro Cities Likely to Commit Road Rage - News18 - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- University College London Awarded 1M to Advance Heart, PH Research Using Computational Biology - Pulmonary Hypertension News - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- One in 10 children on the verge of heart attack risk - The New Daily - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- Healthy living: Salt and hypertension - Forbes India - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- The global blood pressure (BP) monitoring devices market size is expected to reach USD 2.47 billion by 2026 - GlobeNewswire - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- Vitamin D Deficiency And Hypertension: Is There A Relation Between Low Levels Of Vitamin D And High Blood Pressure? - NDTV News - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- Hypertension in Indians - Forbes India - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- Health: Worrying rise of hypertension in Indians - Forbes India - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- More than 1100 health care organizations earn BP-control honor - American Medical Association - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- Medication Adherence In Patients With Arterial Hypertension: The Relat | PPA - Dove Medical Press - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- High levels of stress increase hypertension risk in black individuals - Healio - October 17th, 2019 [October 17th, 2019]
- Dapagliflozin Receives FDA Approval for Reducing Heart Failure Hospitalization Risk - Endocrinology Advisor - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Death of Clay County inmate prompts change in housing for inmates with specific medical needs - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- New OPSUMIT (macitentan) Data Show Initial Combination Therapy with Tadalafil Improved Hemodynamic Clinical and Functional Parameters in Patients with... - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- High Blood Pressure: Why salt is considered a harbinger of hypertension? - PINKVILLA - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Chronic Stress in African-Americans Linked to Hypertension - TCTMD - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Why all the fuss around hypertension? - Firstpost - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Study explores why Caribbean adults have higher hypertension rates - Yale News - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Hypertension in adults: summary of updated NICE guidance - The BMJ - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Diabetes, blood pressure and cancer cases are rising rapidly in India - Times of India - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- Is there a link between breastfeeding and diabetes - Medical News Bulletin - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- High Blood Pressure: Lower hypertension by eating less of these food groups - PINKVILLA - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- Chronic high blood pressure in pregnant women on the rise - MahoningMatters.com - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- Unhealthy Lifestyle and Indian Ethnicity Tied to Hypertension - Forbes India - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- Cardio Round-up: Walkability and CVD; Pollution and Stroke; and More - DocWire News - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- Hypertension Tied to Over One-Third of Population-Attributable CVD Risk in U.S. Black Adults - DocWire News - November 2nd, 2019 [November 2nd, 2019]
- This Is What Makes Oats Idli An Ideal Breakfast For A High Blood Pressure Diet - NDTV Food - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- Global Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Therapeutics Market 2019-2023 | Evolving Opportunities with AbbVie Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. |... - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- Severe Hypertension Common in aHUS Patients and Soliris Effective at Treating Them, Study Finds - aHUS News - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- Overhydration Is a Risk Factor for Post-Dialysis Hypertension - Renal and Urology News - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- In AS, Hypertension Risk Linked to Continuous NSAID Use, Study Says - Ankylosing Spondylitis News - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- Physicians, Patient Discuss Intentional Nonadherence in Hypertension Therapy - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- More than 50,000 suffer from diabetes, nearly a lakh from hypertension - The Indian Express - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- Cause of John Witherspoons untimely death revealed - TheGrio - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- This Hyderabad-based Start-up is Helping Corporates Improve the Health of their Employees - Entrepreneur - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- ER visits jumped after valsartan blood pressure medication recall, study says - CBC.ca - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- The ALK-1/SMAD/ATOH8 axis attenuates hypoxic responses and protects against the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension - Science - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- Health screenings given to raise awareness at West Philly barbershop - The Philadelphia Tribune - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- Blood pressure monitoring must be a part of a diabetic's routine - Gulf News - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- Early Warning Signs of CKD Going Unnoticed in Veterans, Especially Those With Hypertension - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- The Epidemic of Hypertension and Vulnerability of Indians - Forbes India - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- Knowing the facts: Hypertension vis-a-vis Lifestyle - Forbes India - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]
- Heart hormones that affect development of diabetes, hypertension differ in African Americans and whites - UAB News - November 14th, 2019 [November 14th, 2019]