Does Hypertension lead to heart attack or other heart condition?

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major health problem worldwide. It is considered a major risk factor for heart attack, heart failure and stroke. About half of people having first time heart attacks and two thirds of people having first time strokes suffer from high blood pressure. Most cases of high blood pressure have no cure, but the overwhelming majority can be managed and controlled with diet and medication. Although 120/80 mmHg is considered ideal, researchers at  National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute( NHLBI) report that the risk of developing coronary heart disease and heart attack  doubles for every 20/10 mmHg increase in blood pressure from  a baseline  of 115/75 mmHg. Therefore, the best blood pressure level is now suggested to be less than 120/80 mmHg. If left uncontrolled, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) are at risk of: heart disease (heart failure, sudden cardiac death, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias), stroke, accelerated coronary heart disease, aortic aneurysm (weakness of vessel wall that balloons out and is in danger of rupturing), kidney failure and retinopathy (eye disease that leads to loss of vision). Despite its wide-ranging reach and potentially serious consequences, high blood pressure is relatively easy to diagnose and control, either with medications or lifestyle modifications. It is very important that people with high blood pressure seek treatment and follow their physician’s plan.