Have you been feeling dizzy? Experiencing prolonged headaches? Do you think it could be your blood pressure? Uncontrolled hypertension often develops without noticeable symptoms, yet it can lead to severe and irreversible health consequences. This condition progressively damages vital organs like the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
Don’t leave your health for later. This Hypertension Awareness Month, South Plains Rural Health Services highlights the critical importance of monitoring your health and understanding these potential dangers.
Hypertension, a quiet enemy
Prolonged high blood pressure damages blood vessels, leading to the buildup of “bad” cholesterol on arterial walls. This stresses the circulatory system, reducing its efficiency and significantly increasing the risk of life-altering and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes. For this reason, uncontrolled hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, surpassing smoking, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.
The only way to detect high blood pressure is through regular checks; adults over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year.
How Does Uncontrolled Hypertension Affect Your Health?
High blood pressure often coexists with other risk factors such as being overweight, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity, all of which significantly increase the risk of complications.
These are eight of the major diseases and complications caused by uncontrolled hypertension:
1) Arterial Damage
Healthy arteries are typically strong, elastic, and smooth, allowing for unrestricted blood flow. In individuals with hypertension, the persistent high pressure against arterial walls damages their inner lining, leading to a loss of elasticity, reduced resistance, and impaired regenerative capacity. This damage also facilitates the formation of fatty plaques.
2) Aneurysms
The weakening of arterial walls, a direct result of hypertension, can lead to the formation of aneurysms—localized bulges or dilations along the artery. Aortic aneurysms are particularly common in hypertensive patients, and their rupture is a medical emergency that can be fatal within minutes.
3) Heart Failure
High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood against increased resistance. Over time, this excessive strain causes the heart to progressively enlarge and weaken, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
4) Stroke
Hypertension significantly elevates the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic strokes occur due to the buildup of cholesterol plaques in the brain’s arteries, while hemorrhagic strokes result from weakened blood vessels becoming more fragile and prone to rupture.
5) Chronic Kidney Failure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause or worsen chronic kidney failure. Years of sustained hypertension can damage the renal blood vessels and the glomeruli, the vital structures responsible for filtering blood in the kidneys.
6) Retinal Damage
Over time, high blood pressure can harm the delicate blood vessels that supply the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyeball. This damage can lead to a loss of visual acuity and, in advanced cases, may result in blindness.
7) Dementia
Hypertension can damage numerous small blood vessels in the brain, leading to small, often asymptomatic strokes. The cumulative effect of this neuronal damage over time can contribute to a type of cognitive decline known as vascular dementia.
8) Impotence
High blood pressure can compromise blood flow to any part of the body. In men, insufficient blood supply to the penis can lead to difficulty in initiating or maintaining an erection.
👪 Related: How to Improve Your Cholesterol Levels and Protect Your Heart at the Same Time
Healthy Alternatives for People with Hypertension
Following a hypertension diagnosis, adopting a healthy lifestyle is key to managing the condition. Several strategies can help maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep blood pressure at a healthy level. For older adults on blood pressure medication, a healthy lifestyle can also enhance the medication’s effectiveness.
At South Plains Rural Health Services we recommend implementing these changes gradually for a smoother adjustment:
- Check blood pressure regularly
- Take medications as prescribed
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat heart-healthy foods
- Consume less salt
- Exercise regularly
- Don’t smoke
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Manage stress
Prioritize your health with South Plains Rural Health Services in Texas
While lifestyle adjustments are beneficial, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial. They can determine if medication is needed to control high blood pressure, or if lifestyle changes alone can prevent or delay its onset.
This Hypertension Awareness Month, take action: If you have a family history of hypertension or require a check-up, contact South Plains Rural Health Services in Levelland, Lamesa, or Big Spring, Texas.
Your health and well-being are our top priority, and our team of highly qualified and experienced healthcare professionals is ready to assist you. Call or book a blood pressure test online today and take a step towards healthier blood pressure.