Hypertension Effects. In most cases, hypertension produces no symptoms until dangerous complications occur. For example, it can cause an artery in the brain to burst, producing a stroke. High blood pressure also forces the heart to work harder, and so it may cause a heart attack. The disease can cause kidney failure by reducing the flow of blood to the kidneys. In addition, high blood pressure is a major cause of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Effects. In most cases, hypertension produces no symptoms until dangerous complications occur. For example, it can cause an artery in the brain to burst, producing a stroke. High blood pressure also forces the heart to work harder, and so it may cause a heart attack. The disease can cause kidney failure by reducing the flow of blood to the kidneys. In addition, high blood pressure is a major cause of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).