Why Treat Hypertension?

Of the several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), high blood pressure is the most common, affecting more than 73 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.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Over 13 million Americans have CAD (also called coronary heart disease or CHD),2 and it accounts for about one-third of all deaths in the United States.3 It occurs due to atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in medium and large arteries. In CAD, fat, plaque, and blood clots build up in the arteries. This blockage narrows the arteries, allowing less blood to get to the heart. In time, this blockage 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, about 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 5.3 million people in the United States. Hypertension is a very common risk factor for HF, but diabetes is also a large factor, especially in women.6 Women who have not gone through menopause usually have a lower risk of heart disease than men of the same age. But women of all ages with diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease because diabetes cancels out the protective effects of being a woman in her child-bearing years.7 HF is defined as any change in pumping of the heart, along with symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or fluid buildup in the abdomen.3

Stroke

Every year 780,000 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 or other object. 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 The most common cause of RF among Americans is diabetes, and the second is hypertension.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 malnutrition, confusion, and seizures.8