What Are The Signs, Symptoms And Complications Of High Blood Pressure?

As the diagnosis is based on blood pressure values, this disease can go unnoticed for years, since symptoms do not usually appear until chronic high blood pressure has caused damage to the body.

Complications of high blood pressure

When blood pressure stays high for too long, it can cause damage to the body and lead to complications. Some common complications and their signs and symptoms include:

Aneurysms: Abnormal protuberances in the wall of an artery. Aneurysms develop and grow for years without causing signs or symptoms until they rupture, grow large enough to press nearby structures, or block blood flow. The signs and symptoms that occur depend on the location of the aneurysm.

Chronic Kidney Disease: Occurs when the blood vessels of the kidneys narrow. This can cause kidney failure.

Cognitive Changes: Research shows that over time high blood pressure can cause cognitive changes. Signs and symptoms include memory loss, difficulty finding words and lack of concentration during conversations.

Injuries to the eyes: They occur when the blood vessels in the eyes burst or bleed. Signs and symptoms include changes in vision or blindness.

Heart attack: It happens when the oxygen-rich blood flow suddenly blocks a section of the heart muscle and the heart stops receiving oxygen. The most common warning symptoms of a heart attack are chest pain or discomfort, upper body discomfort and shortness of breath.

Heart Failure: It is when the heart can not pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. Common signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; Feeling tired and swollen in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck.

Peripheral Artery Disease: Occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries of the legs and affects the flow of blood to them. If the person presents symptoms, these are usually pain, cramps, numbness, discomfort or heaviness in the legs, feet and buttocks after walking or climbing stairs.

Stroke: Occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a part of the brain is blocked. Symptoms of a stroke include sudden weakness; Paralysis or numbness of the face, arms or legs; Difficulty speaking or understanding what is said; And difficulty seeing.