What is the primary complication of untreated hypertension?

The primary complication of untreated hypertension is cardiovascular disease. Chronic high blood pressure places excessive strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to various cardiovascular issues. These can include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and left ventricular hypertrophy, which is an enlargement and thickening of the heart's walls due to the increased workload.

Over time, untreated hypertension can damage the blood vessels and reduce their ability to regulate blood flow, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis—an accumulation of plaque in the arteries. This process narrows the arteries, making it easier for blockages to occur and increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular events.

While strokes, aortic dissections, and chronic kidney disease are also serious complications that can arise from untreated hypertension, they are often seen as secondary consequences of the overarching cardiovascular problems. Addressing hypertension effectively reduces the overall risk of developing these severe complications.