Hypertension is an invisible killer, characterized by high prevalence, high disability and high mortality. Continuous and prolonged elevation of blood pressure can cause damage to some organs and blood vessels of the human body, which is called “target organ damage” by doctors, just as bullets damage the target when shooting a rifle. Let’s take a look at the causes of high blood pressure. The incidence of stroke is 50-70%, the incidence of disability is 75%, and the incidence of death is 50-60%. The incidence of fundus damage (narrowing of retinal arteries) and retinopathy (hemorrhage, exudation, papilledema of the optic nerve) is 65-70%, with severe cases of blindness. Left ventricular hypertrophy: the incidence is 50%, the risk of associated congestive heart failure is increased by 10 times, the mortality rate of cardiovascular disease is increased by 8 times, and the risk of cerebrovascular accident and sudden death is increased by 4 times. Coronary heart disease: the incidence is twice as high as in normal people. After the combined occurrence of heart failure, about 20% of people die within 1 year, and 50% die within 5 years. Heart failure: incidence is 40-50%. Proteinuria occurs in 72%. Renal failure occurs in 18% and is lethal in 10%. Aortic endarterectomy: 25% mortality within 24 hours of occurrence, 50% within 1 week, 75% within 1 month, 90% within 1 year, and only 10-15% survival at 5 years. Peripheral arterial disease: 3-fold increased risk of intermittent claudication. HOW HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CAUSES BRAIN THROMBS High blood pressure accelerates the hardening of blood vessels in cerebral arteries. The hardened blood vessel lumen narrows, obstruction occurs, and blood flow is interrupted, leading to cerebral thrombosis. How High Blood Pressure Leads to Cerebral Hemorrhage When emotional excitement, over-excitement or strenuous exercise occurs, the blood pressure rises suddenly and the hardened blood vessels rupture and bleed, resulting in cerebral hemorrhage. How high blood pressure leads to coronary heart disease High blood pressure accelerates the process of atherosclerosis of the heart arteries, and at the same time increases the oxygen demand of the heart. The lumen of the heart blood vessels where atherosclerosis occurs becomes narrower, and the blood flow becomes thin or interrupted, causing angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. How hypertension leads to renal failure Hypertension and kidney damage affect each other, forming a vicious circle, on the one hand, hypertension causes kidney damage; on the other hand, kidney damage aggravates hypertension. The rapid development of hypertension can cause extensive diffuse sclerosis of small renal arteries, leading to uremia. “Target organ damage” is caused by long-term and persistent hypertension, while short-term or transient elevation of blood pressure generally does not cause “target organ damage”. The presence of “target organ damage” can only be determined by certain tests. Hypertensive patients should be regularly evaluated and examined for the extent of “target organ damage”.