Complications of High Blood Pressure.

When there is High Blood Pressure or Hypertension, every blood vessel and every part and organ in the body is experiencing higher pressure of blood flowing through it. And this does not happen without causing damage and High Blood Pressure Complications, especially when the hypertension is long standing and uncontrolled. These  Dangers of High Blood Pressure are too serious to ignore.

The Harmful Effects of High Blood Pressure on the body are serious and can  extend to various organs of the body. To make matters worse, High Blood Pressure is many a times  not noticed and is detected when your physician notices it when he takes your blood pressure or when Symptoms of the Complications of High Blood Pressure manifest themselves. Hypertension is therefore referred to as a silent killer.

We shall innumerate below the Complications of Hypertension on the various organs.  Starting  from  head and proceeding downwards:

1.   Complications of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension on Brain:

Due to hypertension, the small arteries burst as their walls cannot withstand the pressure of blood inside them resulting in hemorrhage. A clot may also form in the artery  which may block the blood supply to a part of the brain. This is called a cerebro vascular accident and results in paralysis of one half of the body. This condition is called Hemiplegia. Confusion, headache and convulsions are other complications that  occur.

2.     Complications of High Blood pressure or Hypertension on Eyes:

Similarly, damage to the arteries supplying the eyes, can cause retinopathy or even blindness.

3.    Complications of High Blood Pressure or  Hypertension on Heart:

As the heart has to pump blood against higher pressure in the arteries, it has to take that extra effort to comply with body requirement of blood. Over time, this extra effort results in the hypertrophy of  heart muscle causing left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertension can also result in heart failure or a heart attack.

4.     Complications of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension on Kidneys:

As a result of high pressure in the arteries, the walls become   thickened   due to deposit of hyaline and the lumen of the renal artery becomes narrow.  The supply of blood to the kidneys reduces and the kidneys atrophy.   Presence of blood in urine (haematuria) and protein (Proteinuria) is  detected.   Ultimately there is renal failure.

5.     Complications of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension on Arteries :

Hypertension is a predisposing factor for deposits on the  inner   walls leading to atherosclerosis.  Peripherally, this results in  reduced  blood supply to the legs causing pain in the legs, which can get very severe at times.

6.     Aneurysm of the arteries.

This is another complication of High Blood Pressure and this can be life threatening if the aneurysm bursts. Aneurysm is the ballooning of the wall of the artery.

Picture of Aneurysm of artery.

Below is an image showing the various sites of  possible  damage due to High Blood Pressure Complications.

Action Step: Having seen the seriousness of High Blood Pressure Complications and also how Hypertension can be a silent killer, it becomes essential that you monitor your blood pressure regularly.  This will help you to notice if you do develop high blood pressure and treat it in its early stages. Complications of High Blood Pressure  can thus be prevented from developing.

Related posts:

1. High Blood Pressure or Hypertension Causes.
2. Treatment of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension.
3. Natural Cures for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
4. Symptoms and Signs of High Blood Pressure.
5. How to Prevent High Blood Pressure
6. Low Blood Pressure Symptoms and Complications.
7. Blood Pressure.
8. Obesity and Blood Pressure.