19/07/2022
Complications Associated with Hypertension
1. Damage to the arteries
Arteries are elastic, flexible and strong. They supply the body with nutrients and oxygen. Increased pressure due to high blood pressure can cause various problems for the arteries.
i). Arteriosclerosis is the thickening and narrowing of arteries that can occur as a result of high blood pressure. This can reduce blood flow to vital organs, including the heart, brain, kidneys, lungs, and arms. Arteriosclerosis can cause a wide range of problems, including chest pain, heart attack, stroke, kidney and heart failure, and eye damage.
ii).Aneurysm is a bulge in the artery caused by high blood pressure. The aneurysm can rupture, causing internal bleeding that can lead to
death.
2. Damage to the heart
The heart is responsible for blood flow throughout the entire body, but high blood pressure can create serious problems for this vital organ.
i)Coronary artery disease limits the blood supply to the heart. This can lead to heart attack.
ii)An enlarged left heart is the result of high blood pressure forcing the heart to work too hard. When this happens, the left side of the heart thickens and stiffens. This can lead to heart attack, heart failure, or sudden death.
iii) Heart failure can be caused by the strain of elevated blood pressure on the heart muscle, which can cause the heart to become overwhelmed and fail.
3. Damage to the brain
The brain requires a ready supply of nourishing blood to work correctly.
i)Transient ischemic attack is also called a mini-stroke. It is a brief disruption in the blood flow to the brain, often caused by a blood clot due to high blood pressure. A TIA often warns of an impending full stroke.
ii)Stroke occurs when the brain doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it requires to function properly. This causes the brain cells to die. High blood pressure damages and weakens the brain’s blood vessels, leading to stroke.
iii)Dementia is a disease of the brain
