Neglect of hypertension

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD SK on October 09, 1997 at 11:22:07:

In Reply to: Neglect of hypertension posted by Moira on October 08, 1997 at 20:37:33:

: My aunt did not take her hypertension medication for the last three years. She finally died recently. It seems that the night she died she complained of having a headache and after which she got tremendous chestpain. In order to get some peace with her death I would like to understand how neglect of hypertension can lead to death. Thank you,
  Moira

[CCF CARDIO MD SK]

Dear Moria,

High blood pressure adversely affects the wall of arteries in the entire body. This, depending on the organ, can lead to different unfortunate events.
In the brain, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to hemorrhage and stroke. This can be associated with headache and eventually if uncontrolled can lead to death. In the heart, heart attack and heart failure (failure of the pumping function of the heart) are common manifestations of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Kidneys can also be affected with high blood pressure leading to its failure, ultimately requiring dialysis. The other unfortunate event can be aortic dissection (a tear in the main artery in the chest from high wall stress due to high blood pressure), which can also be fatal.
Over years it has become clear that identifying and treating high blood pressure, early and adequately, can prevent most of these complications. I hope provides you with some of the information you were looking for.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your family physician(s).