Hypertension increases risk for which conditions?

• A. CVA, MI, CHF, kidney disease/failure
• B. Asthma
• C. Liver failure
• D. Allergies

Answer: (A)

High blood pressure damages the body's blood vessels and makes the heart work harder over time. That combination drives several serious problems. In the brain, damaged vessels and atherosclerosis raise the risk of stroke (CVA). In the heart, the extra load promotes changes that can lead to a heart attack and, later, congestive heart failure. In the kidneys, arterial damage reduces blood flow and injures nephrons, increasing the likelihood of kidney disease and eventual kidney failure. These pathways explain why hypertension is linked to stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease/failure. Conditions like asthma, liver failure, or allergies aren’t directly caused by high blood pressure in the same way.