What condition can arise from untreated hypertension?

Untreated hypertension can lead to a variety of serious health conditions, one of which is coronary artery disease. High blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries over time, making them more prone to plaque buildup, which narrows and hardens the arteries. This process is known as atherosclerosis and can ultimately impede blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to chest pain (angina) or even heart attacks.

Maintaining normal blood pressure is crucial for heart health, as unmanaged hypertension increases the workload on the heart and contributes to the process that underlies coronary artery disease. Therefore, long-term high blood pressure significantly elevates the risk of developing this condition, underscoring the importance of early detection and management of hypertension to prevent such cardiovascular complications.