Harmful Effects of High Blood Pressure on the Body

Q - What are the harmful effects of high blood pressure on the body?

A - High blood pressure can affect any organ of the body. The organs commonly affected are listed below:

• The Eyes - It can cause blurred vision or blindness
• The Heart - It can cause heart failure, Myocardial infarction.
• The kidneys - It can cause renal failure which is when the kidneys are no longer able to perform their function of removing waste products from the body.
• The Brain - It can cause a stroke.
• The Blood Vessels - It can cause damage and tearing of the wall of the aorta (the big blood vessel that channels blood from the heart to other parts of the body). It can also cause damage to other blood vessels in the body.

Q - What causes these harmful effects of high blood pressure?

A - High blood pressure can damage the organs of the body. When these damages occur they are called complications. Most of the complications are a result of damage to the blood vessels in the various organs affected. These complications are sometimes referred to as target organ damage.

Q - Is it possible not to develop any complication?

A - Yes, it is possible for you not to have harmful effects of high blood pressure if you achieve "tight" control of your blood pressure. But not many people are able to do so. The general rule is: "The lower the blood pressure, the lesser the chances of developing complications".

Q - How can I identify these complications early?

A - You can identify them early by knowing the symptoms to look out for. You should have a detailed talk with your physician or care provider on which symptoms to look out for. Below are some common symptoms: Eye symptoms - Blurry vision or dark spots in your visual field. Heart and Blood Vessels Symptoms - A severe chest pain or chest tightness or discomfort. There may also be breathlessness, cough and swelling of the feet. Brain symptoms - Occassional "black outs", dizziness and vertigo (spinning sensation) on standing from a sitting position, and double vision are some of the warning signs of a neurological complication.

Q - What Should I do if I notice any of the complications?

A - As soon as you notice any of the signs of the harmful effects of hypertension, you should see your doctor immediately.

Q - How can I prevent them from happening?

A - The best way to prevent these harmful effects of high blood pressure on the body from happening is to bring down your blood pressure to the normal level. To do this, you need to carefully follow your control program prescribed by your physician or care giver and also, closely monitor any changes in blood pressure.

Published - June, 2006