Why Treat Hypertension?

Of the several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), high blood pressure is the most common, affecting more than 74 million Americans.1 However, there are many other CVDs that are just as serious, if not as widespread. In fact, hypertension is a risk factor itself for many more serious conditions. Keep in mind that many CVDs share several of the same symptoms and risk factors. For that reason, simple lifestyle changes like smart eating and avoiding bad habits are good recommendations for all people with CVDs. A description of these more serious conditions can be found below.

BYSTOLIC is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of hypertension and is not approved to treat any of the below conditions.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Almost 13 million Americans have CAD (also called coronary heart disease or CHD).2 It accounts for about one-third of all deaths in the United States.3 CAD occurs because of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in medium and large arteries. These blockages narrow the arteries, allowing less blood to get to the heart. In time, the accumulated blockages can completely block blood flow to the heart, causing acute coronary syndrome (ACS).2 The main symptom of CAD is chest discomfort (angina).2

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

ACS includes angina, which is aching or discomfort in the chest, and heart attack (also called myocardial infarction or MI). This year, over 1.2 million Americans will have a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.4 Most cases of ACS are caused by coronary artery disease. Symptoms of ACS can include discomfort in the chest and upper body, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, or lightheadedness.5

Heart failure (HF)

HF affects about 5.7 million people in the United States. Hypertension is a very common risk factor for HF, but diabetes is also a major factor, especially in women.6 HF is defined as any change in the pumping function of the heart, along with symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or fluid buildup in the abdomen.3

Stroke

Every year 795,000 people suffer a stroke (also called a cerebrovascular accident) and more than 150,000 people die from stroke.6 A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts suddenly or is blocked by a blood clot. Without oxygen from the blood supply, brain cells in the area of the broken blood vessel die within minutes. Symptoms of stroke include sudden weakness in the face or extremities on one side of the body, confusion, sight problems, severe headache, and trouble walking.4

Renal failure (RF)

The kidneys are organs in the middle of your back, just below the rib cage, that filter waste from the bloodstream.8 Chronic RF is the slow deterioration of kidney function.3 According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the most common causes of kidney disease (not RF specifically) are diabetes and high blood pressure.8 If renal failure is not treated, complications like heart failure may occur. RF is asymptomatic at first, but as it progresses, symptoms can include less of a need to urinate, loss of appetite or nausea, swelling or numbness of hands or feet and drowsiness.8