What risks are associated with untreated hypertension?

Untreated hypertension poses significant risks, most notably leading to heart failure and myocardial infarction. Chronic high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder than normal, which can lead to a thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy). Over time, this adaptation can impair the heart's ability to pump effectively, resulting in heart failure. Additionally, the increased pressure can cause damage to coronary arteries, leading to atherosclerosis, which heightens the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Therefore, the association of untreated hypertension with serious cardiovascular complications such as heart failure and myocardial infarction highlights the critical importance of managing blood pressure effectively to maintain heart health and reduce mortality risks.