Long-term Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
In the early stage of high blood pressure, there are physical symptoms of dizziness, headache, palpitation (noticeable and irregular heartbeat), insomnia, tinnitus (ringing in the ears),
lassitude, polyuria (increased urine production) and epistaxis (bleeding from the nose), etc. however, in severe cases or cases of long duration, the heart, brain and kidney may be compromised
with the presentation of relevant clinical manifestations.
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder and, over time, can damage blood vessels throughout the body. If the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, they may stop removing wastes and extra fluid from the body. The extra fluid in the blood vessels may then raise blood pressure even more. It’s a dangerous cycle. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Then, we go to heart and high blood pressure. A heart attack is permanent damage to the heart muscle caused by loss of blood flow to the heart. Networks of blood vessels, known as coronary
arteries, surround the heart muscle and supply it with oxygen-rich blood. The heart needs this oxygen to function.
Heart Attack occurs when a clot or spasm blocks an already narrowed coronaryartery. Left without oxygen, the portion of the heart muscle served by the blocked artery is injured. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop coronary artery disease because high blood pressure puts added force against the artery walls. Over time, this extra pressure can damage the arteries. These injured arteries are more likely to become narrowed and hardened by fatty deposits. Damaged arteries cannot deliver enough oxygen to other parts of the body.
For this reason, high blood pressure can harm the brain and increases the risk for stroke. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A
stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain can’t get the blood (and oxygen) it needs,
so it starts to die. Clots that block an artery cause ischemic strokes. This is the most common type of stroke. Ischemic strokes account for about 87 percent of all strokes. When part of the brain dies from lack of blood flow, the part of the body it controls is affected.
Often called the silent killer, high blood pressure can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms develop. Left uncontrolled, you may wind up with a disability, a poor quality of life
or even a fatal heart attack. High blood pressure’s complications are serious. But if your blood
pressure is well controlled, you’re more likely to keep the most severe problems at bay.
Adopting healthy lifestyle changes can help you manage your disease. For example, reducing your sodium (salt) intake and losing even a little weight can have a dramatic impact on your high
blood pressure. You may also need to take high blood pressure medications. Many of these medications have the added benefit of helping prevent specific complications, such as heart or kidney disease. Working closely with your health care team, you can get a handle on your blood pressure and live a healthier life.