What health problem can hypertension lead to?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant health concern that can lead to various complications, with heart disease being one of the most critical. When blood pressure remains elevated over time, it can cause damage to the arteries, making them less elastic and leading to atherosclerosis, where the arteries become hardened and narrowed. This condition makes it more challenging for the heart to pump blood effectively, which can result in heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and other cardiovascular problems.

Heart disease is particularly linked with hypertension due to the increased workload and stress placed on the heart. The heart may enlarge as it struggles to pump against higher blood pressure. If left uncontrolled, this can lead to serious outcomes, including heart attacks and strokes.

While hypertension can also contribute to kidney disease and raise the risk for certain brain conditions (such as strokes or cognitive decline), the direct and immediate relationship between high blood pressure and heart disease is particularly strong and well-documented in medical literature. This makes heart disease a primary health problem that arises as a direct consequence of untreated or poorly managed hypertension.