Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 28: High blood pressure, often called the silent killer, continues to be one of the most serious global health concerns. Without showing clear symptoms, it slowly damages the arteries and weakens the heart, eventually leading to conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythms.

Doctors warn that when blood pressure remains high for long periods, the heart has to pump harder, thickening artery walls and limiting blood flow. This constant strain gradually leads to irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system.

Each heartbeat pushes blood through the arteries, but when this pressure is persistently high, the heart’s left ventricle becomes thicker and stiffer. The delicate inner lining of blood vessels also weakens, allowing fat and cholesterol to accumulate. Over time, these changes reduce oxygen supply to the heart and other vital organs.

A 2020 study published in PubMed described hypertension as the leading preventable cause of heart disease and stroke, warning that even slightly elevated pressure levels can trigger early damage to the arteries.

Chronic hypertension causes plaque buildup in coronary arteries, leading to coronary artery disease. This restricts blood flow and may cause chest discomfort, fatigue, and shortness of breath. When arteries narrow further, patients experience angina—a type of chest pain caused by reduced oxygen reaching the heart. Unstable angina can occur suddenly and often signals an approaching heart attack.

Persistent high blood pressure can also cause plaque rupture, cutting off blood flow to the heart and resulting in a heart attack. Some heart attacks occur silently, especially in diabetic and elderly patients.

Over time, the heart muscle thickens due to overwork, a condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy. The heart then struggles to fill properly, leading to heart failure, marked by breathlessness, swelling in the legs, and fatigue.

Hypertension can also trigger irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk of stroke. It may damage the smaller blood vessels of the heart, causing microvascular angina—more common in women—where chest pain occurs even when arteries appear normal in scans.

Experts emphasise that hypertension is preventable and manageable through regular blood pressure monitoring, reduced salt intake, exercise, stress control, and medication when necessary. Recognising early signs such as fatigue, breathlessness, or mild chest pain can help prevent serious complications. Managing blood pressure early remains the most powerful step to safeguard the heart and extend a healthy life.