Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to several complications, the most common of which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries, a condition known as Arteriosclerosis. This happens when fatty deposits build up on the inner lining of the arteries, causing it to harden and thicken. When hypertension worsens, the fatty build up may rupture forming blood clots.
High blood pressure also causes aortic aneurysm wherein the aorta or the main artery expands because of the accumulation of fatty deposits. This is dangerous because the aorta may burst. Aneurysms may occur below the kidneys, in the chest or in the abdomen.
One of the most serious cardiovascular complications of hypertension that could result in heart failure is Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, wherein the muscles of the heart’s left chamber thicken as the heart works harder to pump blood.
Kidney complications can also occur when the blood vessels in the kidney become weak and narrow. When this happens, the kidney’s main function which is waste removal becomes affected. Unfortunately, the early stages of kidney problems caused by hypertension usually do not have noticeable symptoms.
Hypertensive retinopathy and severe hypertensive retinopathy are two complications of hypertension that effect the eye, particularly the retina. High blood pressure may damage the retina’s blood vessels and this may lead to headaches, problems with eyesight and even blindness.
Complications may also effect cognitive abilities and memory. Uncontrolled hypertension has been associated with senile dementia. Stroke is another complication of high blood pressure that occurs when the flow of blood to a part of the brain is cut off, causing the cells in that area to die. This may result in the permanent damage of the brain. High blood pressure increases the risk of having a stroke by 6 times.
With so many possible complications of hypertension, it is critical for a person with this disease to take active steps in controlling it. There are many ways to effectively lower blood pressure starting with making changes to one’s lifestyle. In particular, daily exercise is one effective way to fight hypertension. So is quitting smoking and drinking.
Dietary changes are also necessary, such as eating more health foods like fruits and vegetables, cutting down on fatty foods and reducing salt intake. You most likely have heard all these suggestions before and that is because they work. In fact, they are not only effective in reducing high blood pressure and preventing complications from hypertension but they also contribute to one’s over well-being.
Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Hypertension and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Hypertension web site. For more articles and resources on Hypertension related topics, pulmonary and arterial hypertension, high blood pressure symptoms and treatments, natural remedies and much more visit his site at:=>http://hypertension.need-to-know.net/
