Guide To Understanding Blood Pressure

Risks Of Unhealthy Blood Pressure Readings

High blood pressure is a silent killer that can cause extensive damage to the blood vessels for many years before symptoms manifest. Healthy arteries are elastic and flexible but are also strong. The inside of a healthy artery has a smooth texture to allow for blood to flow easily through it. An elevated and unhealthy blood pressure will cause extensive damage to the inside lining of the arteries. Fats and other lipids can penetrate the bloodstream because of this damage and accumulate inside of the arteries. These fats in the bloodstream combine with immune system components, which results in the formation of plaque. The blood vessel walls become hard, inflexible, and narrow, leaving less room for blood to flow. Another risk of unhealthy blood pressure is when the damage to the artery lining allows a section of the artery wall to become weak and bulge outward due to the constant pressure of blood. This bulge is referred to as an aneurysm, which has the potential to burst open and produce life-threatening internal bleeding. High blood pressure can cause the development of a thickened left ventricle in the heart, heart failure, coronary artery disease, transient ischemic attack, stroke, dementia, cognitive impairment, glomerulosclerosis, kidney failure, retinopathy, choroidopathy, optic neuropathy, and sexual dysfunction.

Get the details on maintaining healthy blood pressure next.