Why is high blood pressure so concerning? Because it’s putting stress your heart and your arteries, even if you don’t feel any different.

Effects of high blood pressure

That added stress on your heart can raise your chances for a heart attack or stroke.

Over time, problems in your arteries could cut back on blood flow. And since all of the tissues and organs in your body need blood to work well, that means things like your brain, your kidneys, your eyesight, and your sex life can be affected, too.

By living with healthy habits and taking medication to get or keep your blood pressure down if necessary, you may prevent long-term problems.

Arteries

It all starts with your arteries. Normally, the vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body have a smooth inner lining. They’re strong and flexible enough to push blood through your body.

High blood pressure changes that. The extra force of the blood can damage the cells on the inside walls of your arteries.

If the pressure doesn’t let up, it can cause tears in the lining so it’s not smooth anymore. That’s where fatty bits, called plaque, get caught and build up.

Blood can’t move as well around these clogs, which can even block arteries. These deposits can also make the walls stiff so it’s harder to move the blood.

This damage can make the artery wall stretch and bulge out like a balloon. The bump is called an aneurysm. It can break open and bleed.

Heart

Your heart is a muscle, and it needs blood, too. When its supply lines can’t deliver enough, you could have:

Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), chest pain (angina) or a heart attack

To push blood through stiff or clogged arteries, your heart has to work harder. An overworked heart can become larger than normal.

Then the walls of the heart muscle lose strength and can’t pump blood well. This could lead to a heart attack or heart failure. The chances are greater if you already have heart problems.

Brain

High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. When an artery in your brain tears, leaks, or gets clogged, it can stop blood from getting to brain cells.

Depending on what part of your brain loses blood and what it does, you could have problems with language, vision, movement, or anything else your brain controls.

It could be temporary if the blood flow is restored, or the damage may be permanent if the cells die.

A lessened blood supply to the brain can also keep you from thinking clearly and remembering. It can cause a condition called vascular dementia.

Warning signs

One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. In fact, nearly one-third of people who have high blood pressure don’t know it.

The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is especially important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:

• Severe headache
• Fatigue or confusion
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
• Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears

If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Untreated hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems.

Helpful information

It is an unfortunate fact that high blood pressure is common at menopause due to a number of factors.

Hormone changes are one, but it is very helpful to look at diet and lifestyle factors as well.

Maintaining a healthy weight and addressing stress are two simple ways to start taking action if you are concerned about high blood pressure and this article can help.

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