6 Complications of High Blood Pressure

3. Sexual Dysfunction

While the sexual effects of high blood pressure can be a bit more obvious in men, the conditions can lead to intimacy troubles for women, as well. “In women, high blood pressure can result in vaginal dryness or even painful intercourse, which can happen when blood flow to the pelvis is impacted,” Dr. Daaboul says.

4. Kidney Damage

“Uncontrolled hypertension damages the kidney slowly over time,” Dr. Silverstein says. “It isn’t typically felt or detected by a patient and is only discovered on blood work showing changes in kidney function or losing protein in the urine.”

5. Bone Loss (Osteoporosis)

“When blood pressure is chronically high, it disrupts how the kidneys process minerals,” Daaboul says. “Instead of keeping calcium in the bloodstream, the body flushes it out through urine, forcing the skeletal system to deplete its own calcium stores to compensate.”

6. Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disturbances

High blood pressure can raise the risk of a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, in which a person stops breathing temporarily during sleep. Sometimes, though, this is a secondary effect — high blood pressure can raise the risk of obesity and heart failure, which can then lead to sleep apnea, says Dr. Naidu.

Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

You have more control over your blood pressure than you might think. “Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor,” says Daaboul.

While medications are available to lower blood pressure, there are lifestyle changes you can make that can also help lower your numbers, Naidu says. Your doctor will work with you on a treatment plan, which may include the following strategies:

• Follow a healthy diet. Eating plans like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet, which focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while limiting saturated fats and sodium, can help reduce blood pressure.
• Stay active. Regular aerobic activity is a good way to improve heart health, relax blood vessels, and improve blood flow, all of which helps lower blood pressure. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of high intensity physical activity per week.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra weight is a major risk factor for hypertension. Losing even a small amount of weight can lead to a decrease in blood pressure in people who are overweight or have obesity.
• Don’t smoke. Tobacco and nicotine raise blood pressure, so quitting cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes (or never starting) is an important part of heart health.
• Limit alcohol. Alcohol can affect blood pressure and how well hypertension medications work. If you choose to consume alcohol, limit yourself to one drink per day.

Remember: You don’t have to make all these changes at once. “Start with one, make it a habit, then add another if you can,” says Dr. Rhee. “The best lifestyle change is the one that you can sustain.”