Silent Killer: Unmask the Dangers of Unchecked High Blood Pressure
By Dr. David Samadi
Achieving and maintaining a healthy blood pressure is vital for overall well-being. Do you know why it’s so important? Many people know that controlling blood pressure can lower their risk of heart disease, and that’s undoubtedly true. However, high blood pressure affects more than just your heart.
Often dubbed the “silent killer,” hypertension can stealthily damage your body over years before any symptoms become apparent. When left unchecked and untreated, hypertension can result in diminished health and quality of life. Nearly half of those with untreated hypertension may succumb to heart disease due to impaired blood flow, while others might suffer fatal strokes.
Adequate blood pressure management is critical to preventing serious complications. Here’s how uncontrolled hypertension can affect your health:
Arterial Damage
Healthy arteries are essential for unobstructed blood flow from your heart and lungs to your organs and tissues. High blood pressure strains artery walls, causing damage and plaque buildup. This buildup narrows and stiffens the arteries, impeding blood and oxygen flow.
Aneurysms
An aneurysm occurs when a weakened artery wall balloons out. While they can form anywhere in the body, common sites include the aorta, brain, behind the knee, intestines, and spleen. If an aneurysm bursts, it can cause severe bleeding and sudden death. High blood pressure is a frequent cause of aneurysms.
Coronary Artery Disease
When there is a buildup of plaque in the arteries near the heart can lead to coronary artery disease, which slows blood flow and may result in chest pain or arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Complete blockage of these arteries can trigger a heart attack.
Heart Attacks
Significant plaque buildup or the rupture of a large plaque can block an artery and cause a heart attack. This prevents the heart muscle from receiving vital oxygen and nutrients, potentially leading to damage or death. Symptoms include chest pressure, arm, neck, or jaw pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD specifically affects arteries further from the heart, such as arteries found in the arms, legs, or stomach. Symptoms include leg pain or cramping during activity, which typically eases with rest but recurs with movement. Untreated PAD can lead to strokes, ulcers, or severe circulatory issues requiring amputation.
Heart Failure
Long-term hypertension can cause arteries to narrow, forcing the heart to work harder and eventually leading to heart failure. Heart failure is a debilitating condition in which the heart struggles to pump enough blood to the body.
Enlarged Heart
To compensate for narrowed arteries and restricted blood flow, the heart works harder and may enlarge. An enlarged heart becomes less efficient at delivering oxygen and nutrients, exacerbating health issues.
Stroke
A leading cause of stroke is high blood pressure. Strokes can be hemorrhagic, where a weakened brain artery bursts, or ischemic, where a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. Symptoms include face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. Prompt medical attention is crucial for recovery.
Dementia
Reduced blood flow to the brain from clogged arteries can cause vascular dementia, affecting memory, thinking, and communication skills.
Kidney Failure
This condition is directly affected by long-term, unmanaged high blood pressure, making it the second leading cause of kidney failure. It damages the kidney’s filtering units, leading to potentially severe conditions requiring dialysis.
Eye Problems
Prolonged hypertension can impair retina and optic nerve blood flow, potentially causing blurry vision or even blindness.
Erectile Dysfunction
Men suffering with high blood pressure may experience erectile dysfunction because of impaired blood flow. If this occurs, it’s essential to have your blood pressure evaluated.
Sexual Problems in Women
Women can also face sexual issues due to high blood pressure, such as decreased vaginal blood flow, reduced arousal, and increased fatigue, all of which can impact sexual health.
Conclusion
In summary, managing high blood pressure is vital for heart health and overall well-being. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, exercise, and medication (if needed) can help keep hypertension under control and prevent its potentially serious consequences.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board-certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.