Blood Pressure Information - 5 Hidden Dangers You Need to Know
Here's a piece of blood pressure information you probably already know, but in case you don't, it's worth repeating...
high blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer.
Even if you didn't know that, you've probably had the doctor (or a nurse) take your blood pressure when you went in for an issue that was completely unrelated.
That should send up all the red flags you need.
Hypertension (another name for high blood pressure) is a serious matter.
How serious? Here are five hidden dangers that tell the story: 1.
Heart Disease - hypertension messes with your arteries in several ways.
It ups their workload.
It can cause small tears in the arterial lining, which eventually scar over.
The scars, in turn, cause the plaque to build up inside the arteries.
They shrink in size and flexibility, which places additional pressure on the heart.
2.
Kidney Disease - with damage done to the arteries, the kidneys are unable to function properly.
The kidneys serve as a filter for the body.
When the blood flow through the kidneys is restricted and they don't get the oxygen and nutrients, waste begins to build in the bloodstream.
If left unchecked, the kidneys can fail completely.
3.
Stroke - arteries in the brain that have been damaged by this disease are dramatically weakened.
As a result, they often narrow to a point where a blood clot is able to cut off blood flow, causing a stroke.
Less often, but still a concern, an artery or blood vessel can rupture, also resulting in a stroke.
4.
Vision Loss - hypertension places strain on blood vessels throughout the body.
This includes those in the eyes.
The result can be bleeding, or a narrowing of the vessels, or even the swelling of the optic nerve.
All of these can affect the vision.
5.
Memory Loss - short-term memory lapses can occur as a result of this disease as well.
The loss isn't a particularly noticeable loss, just slight dip in ability to recall memories for short periods of time.
As you can see from the blood pressure information we've shared here, hypertension can be extremely serious.
If you or a loved one suspects you may be dealing with this condition, see your doctor immediately.
And if you'd like more information...
high blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer.
Even if you didn't know that, you've probably had the doctor (or a nurse) take your blood pressure when you went in for an issue that was completely unrelated.
That should send up all the red flags you need.
Hypertension (another name for high blood pressure) is a serious matter.
How serious? Here are five hidden dangers that tell the story: 1.
Heart Disease - hypertension messes with your arteries in several ways.
It ups their workload.
It can cause small tears in the arterial lining, which eventually scar over.
The scars, in turn, cause the plaque to build up inside the arteries.
They shrink in size and flexibility, which places additional pressure on the heart.
2.
Kidney Disease - with damage done to the arteries, the kidneys are unable to function properly.
The kidneys serve as a filter for the body.
When the blood flow through the kidneys is restricted and they don't get the oxygen and nutrients, waste begins to build in the bloodstream.
If left unchecked, the kidneys can fail completely.
3.
Stroke - arteries in the brain that have been damaged by this disease are dramatically weakened.
As a result, they often narrow to a point where a blood clot is able to cut off blood flow, causing a stroke.
Less often, but still a concern, an artery or blood vessel can rupture, also resulting in a stroke.
4.
Vision Loss - hypertension places strain on blood vessels throughout the body.
This includes those in the eyes.
The result can be bleeding, or a narrowing of the vessels, or even the swelling of the optic nerve.
All of these can affect the vision.
5.
Memory Loss - short-term memory lapses can occur as a result of this disease as well.
The loss isn't a particularly noticeable loss, just slight dip in ability to recall memories for short periods of time.
As you can see from the blood pressure information we've shared here, hypertension can be extremely serious.
If you or a loved one suspects you may be dealing with this condition, see your doctor immediately.
And if you'd like more information...