What is one potential complication of untreated hypertension?

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a significant complication that can occur due to untreated hypertension. When blood pressure is persistently high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood against the increased resistance in the arteries. This increased workload can lead to hypertrophy, which is an abnormal enlargement of the heart muscle, particularly the left ventricle.

Over time, the heart becomes less efficient in pumping blood, which can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular complications. The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy is also an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk, suggesting that the individual may be at a higher likelihood of experiencing further complications such as heart attacks or strokes.

In contrast, the other conditions listed, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anemia, are not direct complications of hypertension. While hypertension can contribute to the development of various other health issues, left ventricular hypertrophy is specifically tied to the chronic pressure overload resulting from untreated high blood pressure.