The most threatening aspect of high blood pressure is that it is generally silent. You feel it when you suffer one of its complications. By that time it is often too late. High blood pressure is the culprit behind several life-threatening conditions. Its other complications significantly lower the quality of life.
Life-threatening
Brain
Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in African Americans. About 77 percent of people who have a first stroke have blood pressure more than 140/90.
Heart
Heart failure
Seventy-four percent of cases of heart failure occur in people with blood pressure more than 140/90.
Atherosclerosis
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause hardening of the arteries, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease.
Kidney
Kidney failure
More than 28 percent of cases of kidney failure are attributed to uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Decreased quality of life
- Loss of vision
- Mental confusion and memory loss
- Erectile dysfunction
