Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which blood pressure levels are higher than normal — equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg. It is considered a silent but dangerous condition because patients often show no symptoms. However, without proper and timely treatment, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

Hypertension

Hypertension is a chronic condition that cannot be completely cured. Taking antihypertensive medication helps keep blood pressure within a normal range and lowers the risk of complications. Patients with hypertension should see a doctor for treatment and take medication consistently. Do not stop, increase, or decrease doses on your own. Some patients who have taken medicine for a long time without symptoms may assume they are cured and stop treatment, causing their blood pressure to rise again and leading to complications.

 

What complications can result from uncontrolled hypertension?

• Rupture or blockage of brain blood vessels, causing stroke with weakness or paralysis.
• Narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, leading to myocardial ischemia or heart attack.
• Enlarged heart and abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.
• Heart failure, causing easy fatigue, inability to lie flat, and swelling.
• Degeneration and aneurysm of the aorta in the chest or abdomen, which may rupture and cause sudden death.
• Damage to the kidney’s blood vessels, resulting in chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
• Degeneration of retinal blood vessels with reduced blood supply to the retina, causing blurred vision.

 

It is clear that without proper treatment and control of blood pressure, dangerous complications can occur. Patients with hypertension should take antihypertensive medication along with other measures such as reducing salty and high-fat foods, exercising, managing weight, reducing stress, and attending regular follow-up appointments with their physician.