Effect on the body

In the majority of cases hypertension is asymptomatic until irreversible damage has occurred, so it is advised that blood pressure is regularly checked. One of the first signs of hypertension is retinal damage.

An increase in blood pressure is produced by an increase in peripheral resistance and blood volume. The elevated pressure can eventually cause hypertrophy of the left ventricle

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Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5. 

Hypertension is also contributing factor to atherosclerosis where plaques form.  These plaques cause hardening of the arteries and blockages.  Hypertension can accerlate this process

There are two types of stroke haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke.  Haemorrhagic occurs when there is a bleed due to a rupture and ischaemic occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked.  Both these types of stokes can be caused by many factors including hypertension.  The result of a stroke can be extremely disabling.  Strokes are the UK's third biggest killer.

 Other effects on the body 

·         Stress on heart and vessels

·         Increased work load of the heart

·         Damages blood vessels due to high pressure can cause aneurysms

·         Congestive heart failure

·         Heart Attack – rupture of coronary vessels

·         Renal failure and other end stage organ failure. Blood flow through these organs become impaired and irreversible damage occurs

·         Retinal Damage- loss of vision

·         Coronary Ischemia. There is an increase in muscle mass due to hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart so there is a greater demand for oxygen.      

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Public domain image

These effects of hypertension can be lifethreatening.  By making lifestyle alterations such as taking more exercise and reducing salt intake you could prevent these effects from developing.