The Negative Effects of High Blood Pressure on the Body
Frequently called the “silent killer,” the effects of high blood pressure in the body may show no major symptoms right away; yet can pose a serious risk to your health. The CDC postulates nearly half of the adult population of the United States suffers from high blood pressure and yet many go undiagnosed or untreated. While you may not feel bad or think anything is wrong, it’s important to speak to your doctor about your blood pressure to see if you’re at risk or if you may already be experiencing it.
While there may not be immediate symptoms, today we’re exploring the negative effects of high blood pressure on the body and a few ways that may help get it back under control.
Potential Effects of High Blood Pressure On The Body
Since high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is so common, it might be tempting to think it’s no big deal and that you can just live with it. The truth is quite the opposite, actually. The negative effects of high blood pressure on the body have potential to become very serious. High blood pressure isn’t just part of age related diseases, either. People of any age can develop high blood pressure, meaning it’s something that you should monitor on a regular basis and continue to speak with your doctor about as part of ongoing health care.
If there aren’t always immediate symptoms of high blood pressure, then what does it do? A few negative effects of high blood pressure on the body include:
- Increased risk of dementia or cognitive decline
- Elevated risk of heart attack or stroke
- Kidney damage or failure
- Sexual dysfunction
- Vision problems
- Potential for hypertensive crisis
Long Term Effects of High Blood Pressure on Cognitive Decline
First up in our list of the negative effects of high blood pressure on the body is the increased potential for cognitive decline. Studies have shown an increased risk for developing dementia associated with untreated high blood pressure. This is especially critical in adults from ages 44 to 66.
To keep your mind strong and potentially help prevent cognitive decline, it’s important to manage high blood pressure and get it back under control. In addition to managing high blood pressure, you may also consider brain games or other practices that have been shown to possibly help prevent cognitive decline in adults as they age. You can also commit to journaling as part of a relaxing night time routine as it can help keep your mind sharp while simultaneously relieving your body of stress, which may help reduce blood pressure naturally, too.
Combined Negative Effects of High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Another of the long term effects of high blood pressure is elevated risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, claiming almost 18 million lives each year. One of the biggest contributors to heart disease is high blood pressure.
High blood pressure weakens the walls of your arteries, making them more susceptible to building plaque deposits that harden, constrict, and narrow them. Those with high blood pressure may also be at a higher risk to develop blood clots, which can flow through the body until they begin to block blood to the heart or brain. This increases the risk for both heart attack and stroke.
Finding natural ways to reduce blood pressure may help reverse course for your risk of heart disease. Simple lifestyle adjustments like meditating, managing stress levels, or using tools like zero gravity chairs and portable massagers could all be useful. You should make a plan with your doctor for how to try and reverse your risk for heart disease caused by high blood pressure.
Kidney Damage From High Blood Pressure
Kidney damage and failure can be one of the severe long term effects of high blood pressure. Your kidneys function to remove toxins from your body and regulate many other bodily functions. As arterial walls are weakened by uncontrolled high blood pressure, kidneys may cease functioning at optimal levels. Prolonged damage to your kidneys may also result in kidney failure, which may require serious medical treatments like dialysis or kidney transplant.
The Correlation of High Blood Pressure and Sexual Dysfunction
Unfortunately, the negative effects of high blood pressure on the body also includes the potential for sexual dysfunction in both men and women. The effects of hypertension on arterial walls may cause men performance difficulty while a lowered libido may be experienced by both sexes.
High Blood Pressure Vision Problems
Next up in our exploration of the negative effects of high blood pressure on the body comes vision problems such as blurry vision. Your eyes are filled with small blood vessels that may be negatively impacted by high blood pressure. Hypertension can also cause a swelling of the optic nerve, causing vision issues. This is one case where symptoms of high blood pressure may be noticeable and you should seek medical guidance right away as it could be the precursor to severe medical emergencies.
Lowering your blood pressure with stress management, improving poor blood circulation, or by any other means may help reverse the vision problems caused by hypertension. If left untreated, however, the consequences may lead to potentially permanent long term effects of high blood pressure including total vision loss or impairment.
The Relation Between Hypertensive Crisis and Blood Pressure
Last on our list, and possibly one of the most urgent negative effects of high blood pressure on the body, is the relation between hypertensive crisis and blood pressure. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency that causes your blood pressure to rapidly rise above 180/120. This massively elevated blood pressure can lead to organ damage, organ failure, and be potentially life-threatening.
Symptoms of hypertensive crisis include:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Intense and severe headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nosebleeds
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately. After a hypertensive crisis, be sure to make a solid high blood pressure treatment plan to manage your levels and avoid future critical health emergencies.
As you have learned, the negative effects of high blood pressure on the body can be lasting and severe. When left unchecked, you’re at an elevated risk for heart disease, hypertensive crisis, and a plethora of other medical complications. Finding methods to lower blood pressure is crucial to your overall health. Whether it’s with medical treatment or natural blood pressure reduction techniques like meditation, choosing a zero gravity chair or portable massager to use, or increasing physical activity, having a plan may get your blood pressure under control and help you live a healthier life. Consult a medical professional to monitor your blood pressure, see if you’re at risk, and to develop a plan for managing your blood pressure levels.
Want to learn more about the health benefits of zero gravity chairs and how they may be the right tool for helping manage your blood pressure naturally? Check out these additional resources:
