There are usually no signs, so you must see a doctor regularly. Also, no one knows exactly what causes most cases. High blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke, kidney failure, damage to the eyes and atherosclerosis. For more information about high blood pressure, click here . Back To Top Hardening of the Arteries Hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, is when the inner walls of the arteries become narrower due to a buildup of plaque.
Blood clots form, so less blood can get through.
This can cause heart attacks and strokes. Back To Top Heart Attack Heart attacks occur when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. If you feel any of these warning signs of heart attack, get help fast. It keeps working, but the body doesn't get all the blood and oxygen it needs.