Untreated high blood pressure can put you at risk for dangerous and life-threatening complications.

About 1 in every 3 US adults have high blood pressure and as many as 20 percent of Americans don’t even know that they have it. High blood pressure is a chronic condition that is important to get under control through lifestyle changes and/or medication. Unfortunately, if people don’t know that they have it they don’t often seek treatment. This is why it’s so important for patients, even those who feel great, to visit our providers at Trophy Club Family Medicine Dr. David Yi, Dr. Paula Lansford-Seabaugh, and Carol Addy PAC at least once a year for a physical in Trophy Club, TX.

Here are some of the complications associated with undetected and untreated hypertension:

Stroke

High blood pressure can cause blood vessels to rupture or leak. It can also lead to blood clots within the arteries, which can prevent blood and oxygen from getting to the brain, resulting in a stroke. When it comes to detecting and treating stroke, it’s important to act FAST, which stands for,

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech problems
• Time to call 911

Heart Attack

With all the strain that uncontrolled high blood pressure is putting on your heart, it will eventually lead to the narrowing of the arteries within the heart. As plaque builds up in the arteries a blood clot occurs, which blocks blood from getting to the heart. This leads to heart muscle death, resulting in a heart attack.

Heart Failure

Since high blood pressure causes narrowing or hardening of the arteries of the heart, it has to work so much harder to get the blood pumping. When your heart is overworked it also weakens over time, which can lead to heart failure.

Kidney disease

Did you know that 1 in 4 people with kidney disease has it because of high blood pressure? As you already know, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, including blood vessels within the kidneys. It can also cause damage to the filters within the kidneys, causing these organs to malfunction. When kidneys are no longer able to properly remove waste and toxins from the bloodstream this can lead to swelling of the lower extremities, increased urination, blood in the urine, and puffiness around the eyes.

High blood pressure can happen to anyone. If you have risk factors that increase your chances for high blood pressure, you should talk with the providers at Trophy Club Family Medicine about how often you should come in for a checkup. To schedule a checkup, call Trophy Club Family Medicine at (817) 430-9111 in Trophy Club, TX.