Q. What are the risks of untreated hypertension?

Answered by Dr. Yash Kathuria and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Feb 26, 2024

Hello doctor,

I am a 43-year-old female. I have heard that untreated hypertension can lead to serious health complications. Could you provide an overview of the potential risks, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems? Are there lifestyle changes that can help prevent or manage hypertension? I am interested in learning about dietary adjustments, exercise, stress reduction, and other habits that can contribute to better blood pressure control. What are the available treatment options for hypertension? Are there medications that are commonly prescribed, and how do they work to lower blood pressure? Please clarify.

Thank you.

MBBS., DNB FAMILY MEDICINE., CERTFICATION COURSE NEPHROLOGY., CERTIFICATION COURSE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND
Cardiology Nephrology

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern regarding hypertension and its complications.

If blood pressure remains uncontrolled over an extended period, it can lead to various complications, with cardiac disease being the most common. Kidney disease, though less common, may also occur if blood pressure remains severely high for a prolonged duration. Other potential complications include heart failure, stroke, blindness, nosebleeds, and altered sensorium.

To manage blood pressure effectively, lifestyle and dietary modifications serve as the initial steps. These include:

  1. Following a low-salt diet, with salt intake restricted to less than 5 g per day.
  2. Increasing daily consumption of fruits and vegetables to at least three to four servings.
  3. Engaging in regular physical activity such as walking for at least 30 to 45 minutes daily.
  4. Avoiding indoor and outdoor pollutants.
  5. Considering the use of pink salt, which may have potential benefits.
  6. Incorporating hibiscus tea into your routine, as it has shown significant improvements in blood pressure.
  7. Consuming juices like pomegranate, apple, and beetroot, which are known to help reduce blood pressure.

If these lifestyle changes fail to adequately control blood pressure, medications may be necessary.

I hope this information proves helpful. Feel free to reach out for further clarification or any additional queries you may have.

Thank you.


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