What Can Happen If High Blood Pressure Is Left Untreated?

The Theme of  World Health Day 7^th april  is high blood pressure, let us know 

“What Can Happen If High Blood Pressure Is Left Untreated?”

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer, as people with high blood pressure do not usually have any symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage.The lack of symptoms is why some people who are aware they have high blood pressure do not take any steps to control and treat it. Because they feel okay they think everything is okay. But if high blood pressure is left untreated, serious problems may develop over time. 

Lets have a look at the damage a high blood pressure can cause if left untreated.
 
Heart Damage

The heart has to work harder to push blood through narrowed vessels. As the pressure persists or increases, the heart begins to get fatigued, over time, this additional work enlarges the heart and decreases its ability to contract.The enlarged heart also demands more blood supply, making it more vulnerable to insufficiency in blood flow and prone to heart attacks.
    
Stroke

Untreated hypertension can lead to stroke. As blood pressure increases, the pressure on the blood vessels increases. The vessels in the brain are very sensitive to this increased pressure. Eventually, a weak area of a vessel will rupture, causing bleeding in the brain. It can not only lead to heart stroke but also to brain stroke i.e paralysis.

Kidney Failure

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels throughout the body. If blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, the kidneys are less able to do their job of removing waste and fluid from the body. This accumulated fluid can cause your blood pressure to increase even more. Eventually, your kidneys may fail completely. This is called kidney failure.


Effect on memory and mental function. 

Some research indicates that untreated high blood pressure is associated with the loss of mental ability in older people. Older adults with untreated high blood pressure may have short-term memory loss. They may have trouble with their attention span, too. Also, common are forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk for loss of mental ability. Getting treatment for high blood pressure may improve mental functioning.

Peripheral artery disease

It is a condition of the blood vessels that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply the legs and feet.The narrowing of the blood vessels leads to decreased blood flow, which can injure nerves and other tissues.Peripheral artery disease is caused by arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." This problem occurs when fatty material (plaque) builds up on the walls of your arteries. It blocks the  blood flow to your legs can cause pain and numbness.

According to the American Heart Association, one out of every three adults (33%) suffers with elevated blood pressure,People with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm HG or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm HG are considered borderline hypertensive and require immediate changes in diet and lifestyle.
That is why having blood pressure checked regularly is important.