ABSTRACT
Hypertension is associated with a wide variety of cardiovascular complications and diseases as well as increased death rate with a shortened life expectancy. Hypertension is one of the top five major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Even small increases in blood pressure will increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and early death. Hypertension causes coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, aneurysms, retinal damage to the eye, endothelial dysfunction, arterial damage, and atherosclerosis. The duration and severity of the hypertension are directly related to the cardiovascular damage. The presence of other risk factors or diseases such as high cholesterol and fats, high blood sugar, diabetes mellitus, obesity with high body and belly fat, and smoking will increase the risk of cardiovascular disease even more. Lowering the blood pressure to normal and controlling other risk factors and diseases will reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and increase life expectancy.
