What is a complication of untreated hypertension?

Untreated hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to a variety of serious complications, one of which is coronary artery disease. Prolonged hypertension increases the workload on the heart and can cause damage to the blood vessels. Specifically, it contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, leading to narrowing and restrict blood flow. This process can ultimately result in coronary artery disease, which is characterized by the insufficient supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle and can lead to conditions such as angina or acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Additionally, while hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, and asthma are important health concerns, they are not direct complications arising specifically from untreated hypertension. Hyperlipidemia can coexist with hypertension and contribute to cardiovascular issues, but it is not a direct consequence of high blood pressure. Osteoporosis may relate to various factors including age and hormonal changes rather than hypertension, and asthma is a respiratory condition that does not connect directly to the complications of high blood pressure. Thus, coronary artery disease stands out as a significant and direct complication of untreated hypertension.