Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it can cause significant harm to the body without obvious symptoms. If left unmanaged, hypertension can lead to severe health complications affecting various organs and systems.
Heart Attack and Heart Disease: Elevated blood pressure damages arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, increasing the risk of heart attacks and heart disease.
Heart Failure: The heart works harder to pump blood against high pressure, potentially leading to an enlarged heart and eventual heart failure.
Stroke: Hypertension can cause blood vessels in the brain to become blocked or burst, resulting in a stroke.
Cognitive Decline: Chronic high blood pressure is linked to memory loss, cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of dementia.
Kidney Disease or Failure: Damaged arteries around the kidneys impair their ability to filter blood effectively, potentially leading to kidney disease or failure.
Vision Loss: High blood pressure can strain or damage blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision problems or blindness.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Hypertension contributes to the narrowing of arteries in the limbs, causing pain and mobility issues.
Erectile Dysfunction: In men, high blood pressure can lead to difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection.
Blood Vessel Aneurysms: Increased pressure can weaken blood vessels, leading to bulging (aneurysms) that may rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding.
