What are the risks of not treating high blood pressure?

Untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and/or kidney and heart disease. Treating it decreases the risk of heart attack by 25%, stroke by 40% and kidney and heart disease by 50%. Untreated high blood pressure takes a huge toll on the heart in particular. When an overtaxed heart is forced to keep up with too much pressure in our veins, its walls begin to thicken and lose elasticity. Eventually the heart muscles balloon and become thinner, causing them to lose strength. Fluid retention in the legs and lungs can result. Fats settling in the sick veins can form blockages, causing coronary heart disease. In addition, high blood pressure can damage the veins in your eyes. That is why it's important to see an eye doctor once a year, especially if you have high blood pressure.