People with uncontrolled high blood pressure are three times more likely to develop coronary artery disease, and six times more likely to develop congestive heart failure during their lifetimes.

High blood pressure also affects a person’s arteries and arterioles. As you grow older, your arteries will harden and become less elastic as a result of cholesterol deposits in their walls. This occurs gradually as people age, even if they don’t have high blood pressure. However, having high blood pressure tends to speed up this process.

When arteries become hardened or narrowed, they can’t supply the amount of blood and oxygen that are needed by the organs of the body. Without that blood and oxygen, the organs can’t function properly.

The heart must then work harder and harder to pump blood through the arteries and arterioles. Over time, the heart can become enlarged and have a difficult job supplying your body with the blood it needs. This can lead to a variety of heart conditions.