What is a common long-term consequence of untreated hypertension?

Untreated hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to several serious health issues over time, with heart disease being one of the most significant long-term consequences. When blood pressure remains elevated, it causes the heart to work harder than normal. This increased workload can lead to the thickening of the heart muscle (left ventricular hypertrophy) and eventually result in heart failure, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.

Additionally, high blood pressure can damage the arteries, making them less elastic and more prone to atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow. This further increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In essence, the chronic strain on the cardiovascular system caused by untreated hypertension can significantly elevate the risk of serious heart conditions, making it the primary long-term consequence associated with this condition.

The other options, while they may have some relevance in specific contexts, do not typically result from untreated hypertension to the same extent as heart disease.