Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when that force is too high and begins to harm your body. If left untreated, it can eventually cause damage to your heart and blood vessels.
Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers: The top number, systolic pressure, measures the force pushing against the walls of your arteries when your heart contracts. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
A normal blood pressure level is 120 mmHg/80 mmHg or lower. A risk level is 120-139 mmHg/80-89 mmHg. A reading of 140 mmHg/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure.
The Effects of High Blood Pressure on Your Body
Here are 15 major ones:
1. Artery Damage
Your arteries need to be strong, elastic, and smooth to easily carry blood from your heart and lungs to your other organs and tissues. High blood pressure, or HBP, puts too much pressure on your artery walls. This damages the inside and causes fatty deposits or “plaque” to build up. That plaque makes your arteries stiffer and narrower, so they can’t function properly.
2. Aneurysm
This is when pressure pushes a part of the artery wall outward and weakens it. If it ruptures, it can bleed into your body, which can be serious. It can happen in any artery, but aneurysms are most common in the aorta, which runs down the middle of your body. If you have damaged arteries, you can get an aneurysm even if you don’t have high blood pressure.
3. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries near the heart. This slows blood flow, which can cause chest pain or an irregular heartbeat (called arrhythmia). A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
4. Heart Attack
When enough plaque builds up, or a piece of plaque breaks off, to completely block an artery to the heart, it can cause a heart attack. The blockage starves the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. This can damage or destroy it.
You usually feel pressure or pain in your chest, but sometimes in your arms, neck, or jaw. You may have difficulty breathing, and you may feel dizzy or nauseous.
5. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD is like CAD, but it affects blood vessels farther from the heart, such as those in your arms, legs, head, or stomach. You may have pain or cramps in your legs, often when you walk or climb stairs. It can also make you tired. The pain may go away when you rest and come back when you move. If left untreated, PAD can lead to more serious problems like stroke, ulcers, and loss of blood flow to your legs, which can lead to amputation.
6. Heart Failure
High blood pressure can cause your arteries to narrow. Over time, this can cause your heart to work harder and weaken. Eventually, the heart will become so weak that it can’t supply enough blood to the rest of your body. This is heart failure.
7. Your Heart Gets Bigger
As your heart has to work harder to move blood, your heart muscle thickens. As a result, your entire heart gets bigger. The bigger it gets, the less able it is to do its job, which means your tissues may not get the oxygen and nutrients they need.
8. Stroke
Hemorrhage: A weak artery bursts in the brain.
Ischemia: A plaque clot or “thrombus” breaks off and blocks blood flow to brain cells.
Part of your brain begins to die when it doesn’t get enough blood. This can damage your ability to think, move, speak, and see.
9. Dementia
High blood pressure can cause plaque to build up in the arteries that supply your brain. Blockages in those arteries can slow blood flow to the rest of your body. When it changes the way your brain works, it’s called vascular dementia.
It can affect how you think, speak, see, remember, and even how you move. This usually happens slowly over time. But if you have a stroke, you may notice symptoms very quickly.
10. Kidney Failure
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure. It narrows and hardens the blood vessels that your kidneys use to help remove waste and extra fluid. That prevents special filters, called nephrons, from getting enough blood and nutrients. It can eventually cause your kidneys to stop working permanently.
11. Eye problems
Over time, high blood pressure can slow blood flow to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eyeball. It can also slow blood flow to the optic nerve, which sends signals to your brain. Both can blur your vision, or in some cases, cause vision loss. High blood pressure can also cause fluid to build up under your retina. That can scar the tissue and distort your vision.
12. Sexual Problems in Men
High blood pressure can slow blood flow anywhere in the body. If there is not enough blood reaching the penis, you may have trouble getting or maintaining an erection. If you think you are healthy, this may be a sign that you need to see your doctor to check your blood pressure and rule out related health problems.
13. Sexual Problems in Women
Your body may react differently to less blood flow to the vagina, both before and during sex. You may not get aroused when you want to and it may be harder to reach orgasm. High blood pressure can also make you more tired. It can also reduce your sex drive.
14. Bone Loss
People with high blood pressure often have more calcium in their urine. High blood pressure can cause your body to get rid of too much of this mineral, which is important for strong bones. This can lead to broken or fractured bones, especially in older women.
15. Sleep Apnea
This causes the muscles in your throat to relax too much and stop breathing for short but continuous periods while you sleep. High blood pressure seems to cause sleep apnea, which in turn increases blood pressure. Work with your doctor to treat both conditions as soon as possible. This can prevent other health problems.
