Under Pressure: Conditions Caused by Hypertension

With our fast-paced society and demanding jobs, it’s no surprise that nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can lead to serious health problems. Here are three conditions of which you may be at an increased risk if you have hypertension.

1. Stroke

Stroke is among the leading causes of death for Americans. When survived, stroke can still cause severe, long-lasting damage. A stroke occurs when high blood pressure levels cause blood vessels in the bran to clog or burst. Your brain controls your entire body, so suffering from a stroke can affect anything from your vision and speech to your movement and memory. Keeping your blood pressure in a normal range can help prevent stroke.

2. Heart Disease

High blood pressure affects the heart’s arteries and muscles, increasing the risk of heart disease. An increase in blood pressure can slow or restrict blood flow to the heart. As the heart is forced to work even harder to pump blood through your system, it can cause heart failure or a heart attack. Control your blood pressure to reduce your risk of heart disease.

3. Kidney Disease

Your kidneys perform a vital role in your body’s detoxification process. Suffering from high blood pressure can damage the arteries surrounding your kidneys. This damage interferes with your kidneys’ ability to filter your blood. If nothing is done to manage high blood pressure, the risk for kidney disease only increases. Addressing the root problem is the only way to stave off chronic kidney disease.

If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, schedule an appointment with a Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group primary care physician for a comprehensive checkup. From there, you may be referred to a cardiologist for additional medical care.

Sources:
American Heart Association | Health Threats From High Blood Pressure
CDC | Getting Blood Pressure Under Control
National Institutes of Health | High Blood Pressure