What Happens If Hypertension Is Left Untreated?

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood against the arterial vessel walls during contraction of the heart. Prolonged hypertension (high blood pressure) can lead to fatal complications.

Heart Damage

• Untreated hypertension leads to heart damage. The heart has to work harder to push blood through narrowed vessels. TOver time, this additional work enlarges the heart and decreases its ability to contract.

Stroke

• Untreated hypertension can lead to stroke. As blood pressure increases, the pressure on the blood vessels increases. The vessels in the brain are very sensitive to this increased pressure. Eventually, a weak area of a vessel will rupture, causing bleeding in the brain.

Kidney Failure

• Kidney failure can be another complication. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the increased pressure on the vessels of the kidneys can cause them to be less efficient in eliminating wastes, thereby increasing the volume of fluid in the body and increasing blood pressure.

Aneurysm

• High blood pressure can weaken arteries, making them susceptible to rupture. A ruptured artery anywhere in the body is immediately life-threatening.

Prevention

• Hypertension is known as the silent killer, meaning a person may not have symptoms until serious organ damage is done. It is important to manage weight, diet and exercise, and to stop smoking. It is also important to diligently monitor blood pressure and to stick to a treatment regimen.