Why high blood pressure is a health concern

High blood pressure is a health concern because it affects several different parts of the body. The parts that long term high blood pressure (also called hypertension) affect the most include, heart, brain, kidneys, blood vessels, and eyes. Because of the effects of long-term high blood pressure, sufferers might also have congestive heart failure (a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body, causing fluid to back up into the lungs), strokes, peripheral arterial disease (also called aneurysms), eye damage with loss of vision, heart attacks, and kidney failure.

High blood pressure is a health concern also because it is a factor in several of the most common conditions people get as they get older. Preventing high blood pressure may reduce the chances of a person developing life-threatening or life-altering conditions.

Many people do not have symptoms of high blood pressure. Unfortunately, this can lead to increased chances of having a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or other heart and blood vessel problems. Look at these statistics on high blood pressure in America.

* High blood pressure is a factor in 77 percent of strokes - the third leading cause of death in the United States
* High blood pressure is a factor in 67 percent of heart attacks in the United States
* High blood pressure precedes 74 percent of cases of heart failure in the United States
* High blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney failure in the United States - responsible for 26 percent of all cases
* High blood pressure affects circulation - creating a higher risk for mental deterioration and Alzheimer’s disease
* High blood pressure causes more visits to doctors than any other condition

Another reason why high blood pressure is a health concern is more and more people are becoming ill with it. And many of these people are unaware of this because the symptoms don’t appear right away.

High blood pressure can also cause problems in the retinas of one’s eyes. The retina is where the eyes receive visual images. It also puts the blood vessels of the eye at risk for narrowing, rupturing and bleeding. The results of these can lead to impaired vision and eventually blindness.

Along with all this bad news, there is hope. High blood pressure can be treated very successfully, both without medication and with. It may not be easy, but lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. Plenty of exercise and less fatty foods, and your doctor may not need to prescribe medication.

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