What Causes High Blood Pressure and How it Affects your Heart?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common and dangerous cardiovascular risk factors affecting people today. Often referred to as the silent killer, it typically shows no symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. Understanding what causes high blood pressure and how it affects your heart is critical in preventing serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

As the best cardiologist in Vizag, I have seen how early detection and advanced treatment approaches can save lives. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of high blood pressure, its long-term effects on heart health, and the latest interventional treatments available.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There isn’t a single cause for high blood pressure; rather, it's a combination of lifestyle factors, genetics, and underlying health conditions. The most common contributing factors include:

• Unhealthy diet: Diets high in salt (sodium), low in potassium, and rich in processed foods can lead to increased blood pressure.

• Lack of physical activity: Sedentary lifestyles weaken the cardiovascular system, making it harder for the heart to pump efficiently.

• Obesity: Extra weight increases the demand on the heart and can raise blood pressure significantly.

• Smoking and alcohol consumption: Both damage the blood vessels and reduce the heart’s efficiency.

• Chronic stress: Stress raises the levels of hormones like adrenaline, which temporarily increase blood pressure.

• Medical conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and kidney disease can all contribute to hypertension.

• Genetics and age: As you age, the blood vessels lose elasticity, increasing your risk of high BP, especially if you have a family history.

How High Blood Pressure Affects the Heart

When blood pressure remains elevated over time, it causes wear and tear on the blood vessels and forces the heart to work harder. This can lead to a range of serious cardiovascular issues:

1. Heart Attacks and Stenting

Consistently high blood pressure causes arteries to narrow and harden (a process called atherosclerosis), which reduces blood flow to the heart. This increases the risk of heart attacks. In cases where arteries become blocked, coronary angioplasty with stenting is performed to open up the arteries and restore normal blood flow.

As a specialist in heart attacks and stenting, I ensure that my patients receive precise and timely treatment that minimizes damage to the heart muscle.

2. Complex Stenting and OCT/IVUS Imaging

In more advanced cases, where plaque buildup is extensive or located in difficult areas, complex stenting procedures are necessary. These are supported by cutting-edge imaging techniques such as:

• OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – Offers high-resolution visuals of the arterial walls.

• IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound) – Helps assess the size and structure of the arteries from inside.

These tools allow for safer, more effective stent placement and long-term success.

3. Rotablation, Orbital Atherectomy, and IVL

Some arteries are heavily calcified, making it difficult to insert a stent. In such cases, we employ advanced techniques like:

• Rotablation – A tiny rotating burr is used to grind away the calcium deposits.

• Orbital Atherectomy – A diamond-coated device sands the blockage in a circular motion, ideal for eccentric calcified plaques.

• IVL (Intravascular Lithotripsy) – Uses sound waves to break up calcium in the artery walls, making them more pliable and easier to treat.

These approaches are particularly useful in elderly patients or those with long-standing hypertension and complex coronary artery disease.

4. Heart Failure

The heart is a muscle, and like any muscle, it can wear out. When blood pressure is constantly high, the heart becomes enlarged and less efficient at pumping blood. This leads to heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart cannot meet the body’s needs.

Patients with heart failure often experience fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, and frequent hospitalizations. Managing blood pressure effectively is one of the best ways to prevent heart failure or slow its progression.

5. Carotid, Renal, and Peripheral Artery Disease

High blood pressure doesn’t just affect the heart; it also causes damage to arteries throughout the body:

• Carotid arteries: These supply blood to the brain. Narrowing of these arteries can lead to strokes.

• Renal arteries: When these are affected, it leads to kidney dysfunction or failure.

• Peripheral arteries: Blockages in leg arteries cause pain, cramping, and mobility issues—referred to as peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Carotid, renal, and peripheral stenting are minimally invasive procedures I perform to open these blocked vessels and restore circulation.

6. Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Stent Placement

One of the lesser-known but highly dangerous complications of high blood pressure is the development of an aortic aneurysm a bulge in the aorta caused by a weakened arterial wall. If this ruptures, it can be fatal within minutes.

For these patients, I offer aortic stenting using procedures like:

• TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair)

• EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair)

These techniques involve placing a stent graft inside the aneurysm to reinforce the vessel wall and prevent rupture. Both are highly effective and minimally invasive alternatives to open-heart surgery.

Preventing and Managing High Blood Pressure

The good news is that hypertension is both preventable and manageable with the right approach. Here’s what I advise my patients:

• Regular health checkups to monitor blood pressure.

• Lifestyle modifications, including a heart-healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing stress.

• Medications to control BP and prevent complications when lifestyle changes aren't enough.

• Advanced diagnostics to assess heart function and arterial health, especially in high-risk individuals.

When to Consult a Cardiologist

If you have high blood pressure, a family history of cardiovascular disease, or symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, or dizziness, don’t wait. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term damage.

As one of the best cardiologists in Vizag, I offer comprehensive cardiac care—from diagnosis to advanced procedures like complex stenting, rotablation, IVL, and TEVAR/EVAR. My focus is always on providing personalized, evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes and quality of life.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is more than just a number—it's a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and aneurysms. By understanding its causes and effects, and seeking timely care, you can protect your heart and live a healthier, longer life.

If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or heart health, book a consultation with Dr. Ganesh Kasinadhuni today—and take the first step toward better cardiovascular health.