RISKS OF HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE
Why does hypertension need to be treated?
Although you may feel well at the moment, having untreated high blood
pressure puts you more at risk of heart attacks, strokes and eye and kidney
problems.
The eyes
The back of the eye has several blood vessels and like the rest of the
vessels in the body, they too can damaged. High untreated blood pressure can
cause ruptures of the small vessels leading to bleeding at the back of the eye.
This interferes with the nerves and retina (inner layer) at the back of the
eye, causing damage to the eyesight.
Heart & circulation
Raised blood pressure and coronary artery disease often occur together. High
blood pressure can damage the heart and blood vessels and can cause heart
failure and coronary artery disease.
Damage to arteries in the legs and the aorta, which is the main artery in
the body, are also common. Eventually the heart weakens against the high blood
pressure.
There is an increased risk of a stroke in people with untreated high blood
pressure due to damage of the small vessels in the brain. Problems with the
rhythm of the heart beat can also occur causing palpitations.
The kidneys
In long-standing, untreated high blood pressure the kidneys become damaged
and suffer a loss of function. To begin with the kidneys lose their ability to
concentrate fluids going through them. The result is urine being passed
frequently, particularly at night. Mild damage does not cause serious problems,
but severe damage may result in the need for kidney dialysis.
Those at special risk
- Adult black people are more prone to develop high blood pressure. Kidney
damage is more common and more severe in this group.
- Women tend to have less heart and circulation problems than men. In fact,
high blood pressure is less common in women before the menopause.
- Raised blood pressure is three to six times more common in women taking the
oral contraceptive pill. The rise in blood pressure is usually mild and depends
on the type of pill. In half of these women taking the pill, the blood pressure
comes down to normal after stopping, but persists in the other half.
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