What Hypertension Can Do to Different Parts of the Body

More often than not, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is generally only thought of in terms of heart health. However, what many people don't realize is that high blood pressure has an adverse affect on many parts of the body.

The Heart
Perhaps the organ most in danger from high blood pressure is the heart. High blood pressure has a very negative effect on the heart. It causes the arteries to narrow, making the heart work harder in order to pump blood through the arteries. The increased strain on the heart wears it down sooner than normal and contributes to coronary heart disease, in which plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries, causing them to narrow. Once the arteries are narrowed, the flow of blood to the heart decreases and encourages the formation of clots within the arteries. These clots block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When the heart is not receiving enough oxygen, a heart attack can occur.

The Kidneys
The kidneys work control fluid levels in the body while at the same time ridding it of toxins. High blood pressure damages the blood vessels, and damaged blood vessels in the kidneys compromise their ability to rid the body of toxins and control fluid levels. Because the kidneys aren't receiving enough oxygen from the blood due to damaged vessels, the body will retain more water, and water retention serves to raise the blood pressure even more.

The Blood Vessels/Arteries
High blood pressure causes the blood vessels and arteries to become thick with plaque made from cholesterol and fat deposits. This plaque attaches itself to the walls of the arteries, causing them to harden and become less flexible. These hardened arteries and blood vessels become narrowed, so a decreased amount of blood flows through them, affecting all parts of the body.

The Brain
High blood pressure can seriously affect the brain's ability to function normally. High blood pressure has been linked to an increased risk for developing a stroke by causing blood clots. These blood clots can become dislodged from the walls of the arteries and travel throughout the body. If a clot forms in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, a stroke can result. In addition, a stroke can occur when hardened arteries, coupled with an increased blood pressure, cause a blood vessel to burst.

The Eyes
Another part of the body hypertension affects is the eyes. The resulting narrowing of the arteries that high blood pressure causes can completely block the flow of blood to the eyes, which can cause a person's sight to be severely damaged or lost completely. The blood vessels in the eyes can also become damaged, which can lead to bleeding. Many times, a doctor can tell if a person has high blood pressure by simply looking into their eyes, which may be bloodshot.
The Lungs
The lungs are also negatively affected by high blood pressure. When high blood pressure constricts or narrows the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs, making it difficult for blood to reach the lungs. As a result, the oxygen supply needed by the lungs is diminished. Blood clots can also form, once again either restricting or completely cutting off the supply of blood and oxygen to the lungs.

High blood pressure can cause a great deal of damage to different parts of the body. In addition to the heart, the kidneys, arteries, brain, eyes, and lungs all suffer when a person has hypertension. That is why it's important to monitor and control high blood pressure levels and work with your healthcare provider in order to reduce the amount of damage that high blood pressure causes different parts of the body.

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Categories: Heart Health,

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