There are possible complications of unmanaged hypertension and why a client might not understand the connection between hypertension and other diseases or conditions.
Cardiovascular disease: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Kidney disease: Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and reduce their ability to filter waste from the blood, leading to kidney disease and even kidney failure.
Vision problems: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the eyes and lead to vision problems, including vision loss.
A client might not understand the connection between hypertension and other diseases or conditions for a variety of reasons, including:
Lack of symptoms: Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it may not cause any symptoms, so the client may not realize they have high blood pressure and do not see a need for treatment.
Misunderstanding of cause and effect: The client may not understand that hypertension is a risk factor for other conditions and may not see the connection between their high blood pressure and other health problems.
The complexity of the condition: Hypertension is a complex condition that involves multiple factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions. It can be difficult for clients to understand hypertension’s role in their overall health and well-being.
Sources:
- “Complications of Hypertension.” American Heart Association, 28 Dec. 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/complications-of-high-blood-pressure.
- “Understanding Blood Pressure Readings.” American Heart Association, 10 Nov. 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings.
- “Hypertension and Kidney Disease.” National Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hypertension.
- “High Blood Pressure and Vision Loss.” American Academy of Ophthalmology, 3 May 2021, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/high-blood-pressure-hypertension.
- “Why High Blood Pressure Can Be Called a ‘Silent Killer.'” Mayo Clinic, 22 Oct. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868.
- “High Blood Pressure and Your Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 May 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm.
- “Understanding Blood Pressure Readings.” American Heart Association, 10 Nov. 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings.
