Effects of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, means that the pressure in an individual's arteries is high. The arteries are the vessels that help to carry blood from the heart to the other organs and tissues throughout the body. An individual's blood pressure is considered to be high if it is 140/90 or higher.

Damage to the Arteries

• Naturally, the arteries throughout the body start to harden as people grow older. Having high blood pressure can increase the risk of having hardened arteries as well. Hardened arteries will cause an individual's heart and kidneys to work harder than they should.

Heart Attack

• Having high blood pressure puts an individual at a greater risk of suffering from a heart attack. The arteries work by transporting oxygenated blood to the heart. If the heart does not get enough oxygen, chest pain may occur. A heart attack can take place if the flow of blood to the heart is blocked.

Congestive Heart Failure

• Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply all of the body's needs. High blood pressure is a serious cause of this condition as well.

Kidney Damage

• High blood pressure can cause an individual to suffer from kidney damage also. It can cause the blood vessels of the kidneys to thicken and become narrower. If this occurs, the kidneys will begin to filter less fluid, and waste will begin to build up in the blood, causing the kidneys to fail.

Stroke

• If an individual's blood pressure is extremely high, it can lead to a stroke. A stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain breaks and then begins to bleed. A stroke can also be caused if one of the narrowed arteries is blocked by a blood clot.