Complications Of Hypertension

Hypertension can cause the acceleration of atheromatous disease such as peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease (eg. heart attack, heart failure, angina), cerebrovascular disease and renal artery disease. Hypertension also decreases myocardial compliance and an increase in the atrial contribution to diastolic filling and cardiac output. This can ultimately result in congestive cardiac failure and pulmonary oedema.

In order to cope with increased afterload, the heart hypertrophies (grows larger). Hypertrophy leads to increased myocardial requirements and endomyocardial fibrosis, resulting in reduced heart compliance. Cardiac dilatioin eventually follows and subsequently heart failure.

Chronic hypertension causes a shift in cerebral autoregulation. The shift results in a decrease in cerebral blood flow and cerebral ischaemia occur at higher blood pressures compared to normotensives. Treatment of hypertension significantly reduces the incidence of stroke and with long term therapy, the autoregulation curve normalizes.

Chronic hypertension affects renal autoregulation in the same way as the brain. It causes glomerular sclerosis, abnormal distribution in blood flow and decreased glomerular filtration rate.

In short, hypertension can cause:
- stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic)
- cardiovascular events
- renal failure
- peripheral vascular disease
- atherosclerosis
- retinopathy
- ischaemic heart disease
- heart failure
- end stage renal disease

Hope the info is useful to anyone who reads!=)