What is a common outcome of untreated hypertension?

Untreated hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to various serious health complications over time, one of which is heart enlargement, also known as left ventricular hypertrophy. When blood pressure remains elevated, the heart is forced to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This increased workload causes the muscle tissue of the heart to thicken and enlarge to handle the added strain. Over time, this can lead to reduced heart function and increase the risk of heart failure.

The other outcomes associated with untreated hypertension, such as improved cardiovascular health, lower risk of stroke, or enhanced vascular elasticity, are generally not seen. Instead, hypertension is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack, and actually contributes to decreased vascular elasticity, which can result in further complications. Thus, heart enlargement is a direct consequence of the pressure overload caused by untreated hypertension.