What is a common complication of untreated hypertension?

Untreated hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to a range of serious health complications, with stroke being one of the most critical. High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain, leading to ischemic strokes, where blood flow to the brain is blocked. This can occur due to the narrowing and hardening of arteries over time, a process known as atherosclerosis, which is accelerated by consistently elevated blood pressure.

While heart attacks, kidney failure, and vision loss are also notable complications of untreated hypertension, stroke is especially significant because it can result in immediate and severe neurological deficits and can be fatal. The relationship between hypertension and stroke is well-established in medical literature, highlighting the urgency of managing high blood pressure to mitigate these risks and protect overall cardiovascular health.