The Harm High Blood Pressure Does to the Heart Vessels

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease that can silently damage the heart vessels for years without causing any symptoms, which is why it is known as the “silent killer”. In this article I will explain how blood pressure damages the vessels.

Hypertension: The Silent Killer

In most patients, high blood pressure causes no obvious symptom apart from headache; for this reason many people live with high blood pressure for years without realising it, and only become aware of the situation when they have a heart attack or a stroke. Regular blood pressure measurement is the only reliable way to catch this silent process early.

The Effect of Blood Pressure on Arterial Stiffening (Atherosclerosis)

A vessel wall that is constantly under high pressure thickens over time, loses its elasticity and becomes more prone to cholesterol build-up (plaque formation); this process directly accelerates atherosclerosis, which forms the basis of the coronary artery disease that leads to heart attack. At the same time, high blood pressure causes the heart to increase its muscle mass against this extra load (hypertrophy), which also increases the risk of heart failure.

The Importance of Taking Blood Pressure Medication Regularly

Taking blood pressure medication regularly and continuously as recommended by your doctor, rather than only “when the readings are high”, is the most effective way to prevent vascular damage; stopping the medication on your own or taking it irregularly can lead to fluctuations in blood pressure and to faster vascular damage. Current guidelines recommend that target blood pressure values be determined according to the individual risk profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

My blood pressure readings are normal; can I stop my medication? No; normal readings are an indication that the medication is working, and stopping it will cause the blood pressure to rise again.

How often should I have my blood pressure measured? For those with known hypertension we recommend regular home monitoring, and for healthy adults without hypertension a measurement at least once a year.

How much does salt restriction affect blood pressure? Reducing daily salt intake contributes to a significant fall in blood pressure values in many patients.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a disease that can cause serious damage to the heart vessels over the years without giving any symptoms. Regular measurement and adherence to drug treatment are the most effective ways to stop this silent process.

You can make an appointment to have your blood pressure and cardiovascular health assessed.

References

1. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Hypertension. 2018;71(6):e13-e115.