From the March 2025 issue of Massachusetts General Hospital's Mind, Mood, & Memory (MMM)
HYPERTENSION AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS
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Q: Does hypertension lead to atherosclerosis or is it usually the other way around? A: High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, a thickening or stiffening of the arteries. Over time, hypertension can weaken artery walls, making them vulnerable to the buildup of plaque—the definition of atherosclerosis. Other common risk factors […]
© adamkaz | Getty Images Getting your blood pressure checked regularly and closely adhering to your antihypertensive medication regimen, as well as maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, may help you overcome treatment-resistant hypertension.