What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.
Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer, and unfortunately, the pathological process really deserves this nickname because the health-threatening condition is completely asymptomatic. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected. And once you know you have high blood pressure, you can work with your doctor to control it.
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.
A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
Routine examination is an effective way to prevent the timely detection of hypertension, therefore, any possible complications. Even when you have nothing to worry about, i.e. you are practically healthy, a whole body examination is recommended.
Complications
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications including:
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Aneurysm.
- Heart failure.
- Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Trouble with memory or understanding.
- Dementia.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
