Some of the dangers of untreated high blood pressure include:
Heart disease:
When blood pressure is high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the arteries. Over time, this increased workload can cause the heart muscle to thicken and become stiff, a condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy. This can lead to heart failure, a condition where the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Hypertension can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, causing them to become narrowed and less flexible. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries, further reducing blood flow to the heart. Atherosclerosis can also cause blood clots to form, which can lead to a heart attack.
Additionally, high blood pressure can also increase the risk of heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation. These arrhythmias can lead to blood clots forming in the heart, which can then travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
Stroke:
Hypertension can weaken the walls of your blood vessels and make them more prone to developing bulges (aneurysms) or rupturing. If an aneurysm in your brain ruptures, it can cause bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke), which can lead to brain damage and potentially life-threatening complications.
Hypertension can also cause a buildup of plaque in your blood vessels, which can narrow or block the flow of blood to your brain. This can cause an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot forms in one of your brain's arteries or when a clot that has formed elsewhere in your body travels to your brain and blocks an artery.
Kidney damage:
Hypertension can cause the blood vessels in the kidneys to narrow and become less flexible, which can reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Over time, this can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney disease.
High blood pressure can cause increased pressure within the kidneys, which can damage the delicate filtering units called glomeruli. When these units are damaged, the kidneys cannot properly remove waste and excess fluids from the body, which can lead to kidney disease.
Hypertension can also cause proteinuria, which is the presence of excess protein in the urine. Proteinuria can indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly and can be a sign of kidney damage.
Vision loss:
Hypertension can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy. This condition can cause the blood vessels in the retina to narrow, leak, or even rupture, which can lead to vision problems.
High blood pressure can also damage the optic nerve, which is the nerve that carries visual information from the eyes to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, it can cause vision loss, including partial or complete blindness.
Additionally, hypertension can increase the risk of developing other eye diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. These conditions can also lead to vision loss.
Cognitive decline:
Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain, leading to a condition called cerebral small vessel disease. This condition can cause changes in the brain's white matter, which can lead to cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia.
High blood pressure can also reduce blood flow to the brain, which can cause damage to the brain cells and lead to cognitive decline. This can be particularly problematic in areas of the brain that are important for memory and other cognitive functions.
Hypertension can also impair the clearance of amyloid beta, a protein that can accumulate in the brain and contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Sexual dysfunction:
High blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the genital area, which can affect sexual function. In men, this can cause erectile dysfunction, while in women, it can cause decreased arousal and lubrication.
Many medications used to treat hypertension can cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect. For example, some medications can reduce libido, interfere with orgasm, or cause erectile dysfunction.
Living with hypertension can be stressful and can lead to anxiety or depression, which can also contribute to sexual dysfunction.
Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the genital area. This can lead to decreased sensation and impaired sexual function.
Aneurysms:
An aneurysm is a localized, abnormal bulge or ballooning of a blood vessel that can occur anywhere in the body. Aneurysms can occur in different types of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and even the heart.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to the development of aneurysms in several ways:
- Hypertension can cause increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels, which can weaken them and make them more susceptible to developing an aneurysm.
- High blood pressure can also directly weaken the walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to develop an aneurysm.
- Hypertension can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels, which can cause them to narrow and increase the risk of aneurysm formation.
- Hypertension can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can weaken blood vessel walls and increase the risk of aneurysm formation.
When a blood vessel develops an aneurysm, the walls of the vessel become weak and thin. This can cause the aneurysm to rupture, leading to bleeding and potentially life-threatening complications. In some cases, aneurysms can be asymptomatic and go unnoticed until they rupture.
Peripheral artery disease:
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which the blood vessels that carry blood to the arms and legs become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow to the limbs. PAD is often caused by atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can cause them to narrow and reduce blood flow.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can contribute to the development and progression of PAD in several ways:
- Increased pressure on blood vessel walls: Hypertension can cause increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels, which can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the limbs.
- Weakened blood vessel walls: High blood pressure can also directly weaken the walls of blood vessels, making them more susceptible to the development of atherosclerosis and the progression of PAD.
- Increased risk of blood clots: Hypertension can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels, which can further narrow or block the arteries that supply blood to the limbs.
- Reduced nitric oxide production: Hypertension can reduce the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. Reduced nitric oxide production can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and the progression of PAD.