Cause 7. Hypertension: The Silent Killer
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is aptly referred to as the “silent killer” because it typically exhibits no symptoms but can lead to severe heart complications. Hypertension is a potent and common cause of heart disease, impacting millions worldwide.
Elevated blood pressure puts additional strain on the heart, forcing it to work harder than normal. Over time, this excess pressure can damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, or aneurysm.
Furthermore, hypertension often coexists with other heart disease risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, compounding the overall risk. If left unchecked, hypertension can lead to heart enlargement, a condition which increases the risk of sudden death.
Thus, hypertension, despite its silent nature, plays a significant role in heart disease development and progression. (7)
