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The Silent Threat: 7 Ways How High Blood Pressure Kills You Slowly

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Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects over 1 billion adults globally. It is one of the major causes of premature death, leading to around 10 million deaths every year. The scary thing about hypertension is that most people don't even realise they have it. That's why it's often called the ‘silent killer.’ While hypertension may not have obvious symptoms, it can quietly wreak havoc on your body if left untreated. Here, we learn how hypertension kills you, albeit slowly.

Dangers of Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious medical condition. It can lead to a host of life-threatening complications. When your blood vessels are under too much pressure, it can damage your heart, brain, kidneys, and other vital organs. Uncontrolled hypertension can drastically increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and even death.

The insidious nature of hypertension lies in the fact that it often presents no obvious symptoms. According to WHO, 46% of adults with high blood pressure don't even realise they have it until it's too late. This silent nature is why hypertension is so dangerous - it can silently wreak havoc on your body without you even knowing. So, having health insurance coverage to save yourself from the perils of hypertension is more important than ever.

How it is killing you slowly

Here is a way hypertension is killing you slowly.

1. Increased Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the arteries and makes them stiffer over time. This forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through narrowed arteries. Excessive pressure can cause arteries to burst or get blocked, leading to heart attack or stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, people with hypertension are 3 times more likely to die from heart disease. Managing high blood pressure is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Health insurance is vital in providing access to regular screenings that can detect and manage heart health risks early on.

2. Kidney Damage

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. It damages the blood vessels around the kidneys, impairing their ability to function properly. People with high blood pressure are at an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and kidney failure requiring dialysis.

This damage can be gradual and unnoticed until severe. So, having a support of individual health insurance for regular health monitoring or during times of hospitalisation can be of great help. Check your kidneys regularly if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

3. Vision Loss

Uncontrolled hypertension can damage the blood vessels supplying blood to the retina, leading to hypertensive retinopathy. This condition can impair vision and lead to blindness if left untreated.

High blood pressure also increases the risk of other eye conditions like choroidal infarction, optic neuropathy, and retinal vein occlusion. Regular eye exams and proper health insurance (for the crisis times) are important for preserving vision in hypertensive patients.

4. Cognitive Decline

Studies show that high blood pressure, especially in middle age, is associated with cognitive decline and dementia in later life. It speeds up the ageing process in the brain and damages cognition.

Managing hypertension can play a key role in reducing your risk of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. It makes individual health insurance a crucial investment in your cognitive health.

5. Sexual Dysfunction

For men, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction by impairing blood flow to the penis. Women may also experience low libido and vaginal dryness due to hypertension.

A healthy sex life is an important part of overall well-being. Make sure your high blood pressure is well-managed to avoid intimacy issues.

6. Arterial Damage and Aneurysms

High blood pressure can cause your arteries to harden and thicken. It leads to atherosclerosis. This condition increases the risk of developing aneurysms—dangerous expansions of arteries that can burst, posing life-threatening emergencies. Early detection through coverage provided by health insurance is key to prevention.

7. Enlarged Heart

Also known as left ventricular hypertrophy, an enlarged heart is a serious complication of poorly controlled high blood pressure. The extra strain on the heart causes its muscular walls to thicken.

An enlarged heart leads to reduced pumping ability and increased risk of heart failure. Lowering your blood pressure and preventing this type of lasting heart damage is critical. Here, individual health insurance is essential for covering diagnostic tests and treatments that can improve quality of life.

The Takeaway

The effects of hypertension extend far beyond temporary dizziness or headaches. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure silently inflicts damage throughout the body - from your heart and brain to your smallest blood vessels.

The good news is hypertension can be easily detected through regular screenings. Many effective medications and lifestyle changes can help control your blood pressure. Prioritise blood pressure screenings and work closely with your doctor to manage hypertension. Small steps like eating healthy, exercising, reducing stress and limiting alcohol can greatly reduce your risks.

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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