What adverse effects will High Blood Pressure have on small arteries?

Answer 1

The cells which line the arteries are the endothelial cells and endothelial dysfuction preceeds 'high blood pressure' by a decade or longer. In order to answer your question it would be nice to define high blood pressure but matters medical are not that easy. 40 years of medical study has consistently found an increase in cardiovascular risk (think of heart attack and stroke) at blood pressure levels above 115/065 which everyone would say is 'normal'. This means that there is no definition of 'high' and indeed the level at which physicians treat blood pressure keeps dropping as safer and more effective medications become available. In fact there is a growing body of literature to suggest that if everyone takes a blood pressure medication no matter what their starting value that they will reduce their cardiovascular risk although I am not willing to advise this at this time. To return to your question the small arteries have already been dysfunctional for some time prior to diagnosis and treatment and despite treatment and even if the blood pressure is 'normalized' the small arteries remain dysfuctional. The effects of blood pressure on larger arteries is that the blood pressure is likely directly linked to the risk of developing plaques which narrow the arteries and play an important role in the risk of cardiovascular events. My approach at this time is based upon studies which demonstrate that at home blood pressure monitoring within 1/2 hour of awakening correlates best with cardiovascular risk. Thus if an office reading is 'high' I ask people to monitor their blood pressure at home and to email me their readings. If I decide to treat someone I will then use the home readings to monitor the response to treatment. I increasingly recommend that people email me their blood pressure, pulse, glucose, and so on as this venue (in my opinion) is underutilized but improves the quality of care. If anyone is still reading this and they have a question or values that they wish me to review I will be pleased to do so [e-mail]

Answer 2

High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke and a risk factor for heart disease. High blood pressure on arteries will make the arteries weak and in time susceptible to breakage. If this happens, and if the artery is located in the brain it will cause a stroke; if the artery is located in the heart, it is called heart attack.