Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when blood pressure reaches 140/90 or higher. In 2003, approximately 50 million people in the United States were considered hypertensive, according to the National Institutes of Health. While most people do not initially display symptoms of hypertension, serious complications can develop as a result of high blood pressure.
Blood Vessel Damage
High blood pressure damages the lining of arteries, leading to atherosclerosis, or a hardening and thickening of the arterial walls. This process blocks blood flow to the heart, kidneys, brain, arms or legs, leading to other medical problems. Over time, weakened blood vessels may also develop aneurysms, or an abnormal ballooning or widening of an artery, and when ruptured, will lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Heart Failure
When you are hypertensive, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout your body. Over time, this strain causes the heart to weaken and pump less efficiently, eventually leading to heart failure. In addition, hypertensive patients may develop coronary artery disease, which limits blood flow to the heart and causes chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats or heart attacks.
Kidney Failure
Hypertension can damage the large blood vessels leading to the kidneys or small blood vessels within the kidneys. This damage interrupts or slows blood flow to yourkidneys and causes kidney failure. During kidney failure, the kidneys are unable to effectively filter fluid and waste within the blood, causing a buildup of these products within the body. As a result, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be required.
Stroke
When you are hypertensive, blood flow to your brain may be limited by blood clots or arterial narrowing, leaks or ruptures. This may initially cause a transient ischemic attack. If the blood flow is interrupted for longer periods of time, brain cells will die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients, causing a stroke. In addition, mild cognitive impairment or dementia may occur due to arterial damage and limited blood flow to the brain.
Vision Problems
Tiny blood vessels within your eye are also affected by high blood pressure. The blood vessels leading to the retina or the optic nerve may leak, become scarred or develop a blockage. This can cause bleeding within your eye, blurred or distorted vision or blindness.
Other Possible Effects
Hypertension can lead to several other medical problems if left untreated. Bone loss may occur as a result of excess calcium being excreted in the urine and is a major point of concern for older men and woman who are already at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Sexual dysfunction commonly occurs in hypertensive men, and there is also a possible link between elevations in blood pressure and the development of sleep apnea.
