Hypertension: Causes and Risks

Study Notes

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high.
Causes include unhealthy lifestyle habits, genetics, age, and certain medical conditions.
Effects include damage to arteries, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and other serious health issues.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, leading to damage or death of the heart muscle.
Causes include the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.
Effects include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.
Treatment may involve medications to dissolve the clot and restore blood flow, procedures such as angioplasty or stent placement, or surgery in severe cases.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty deposits build up inside the arteries, narrowing them over time.
Causes include unhealthy lifestyle habits, genetics, and age.
Effects include reduced blood flow to organs and tissues, leading to serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
It can develop slowly over many years, often starting in childhood, and can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis is when a blood clot forms inside a blood vessel and blocks the flow of blood.
Causes include injury to a blood vessel, slow blood flow, certain medical conditions, and medical treatments.
Effects include blockage of blood flow to an organ or tissue, causing damage or even death to that area.
Thrombosis can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Stroke

A stroke happens when something blocks blood flow to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
Causes include high blood pressure, smoking, and blood clots.
Effects depend on which part of the brain is affected and can include sudden numbness or weakness, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, severe headache, and dizziness.
Treatment may include medications to dissolve blood clots, surgery to repair blood vessels, or rehabilitation to regain lost skills.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease, or heart disease, affects the heart's blood vessels.
Causes include unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
Effects include reduced flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, leading to chest pain or discomfort, and potentially, heart failure.
It can develop slowly over many years, initially with no symptoms, but leading to serious complications if left untreated.

Description

Learn about hypertension, a condition where blood pressure is consistently high, with no symptoms but serious health risks. Discover the causes, which can include unhealthy lifestyle habits, genetics, age, and medical conditions.