AANP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AGPCNP) Practice Test

Heart failure is recognized as a potential complication of untreated hypertension in elderly patients. Chronic high blood pressure can lead to various cardiovascular issues, one of which is heart failure. When hypertension remains unmanaged, the heart has to work harder to pump blood against the elevated pressure in the vessels. Over time, this increased workload can lead to the thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy) and eventually to the weakening of the heart's pumping ability, resulting in heart failure.

Elderly patients are particularly vulnerable due to age-related changes in cardiovascular function and the presence of comorbidities. As their ability to compensate for increased workload diminishes, untreated hypertension significantly raises the risk of developing heart-related complications, including heart failure.

In contrast, options such as increased energy levels, decreased risk of stroke, and improved cognitive function are not associated with untreated hypertension. On the contrary, uncontrolled hypertension often leads to fatigue, increases the risk of stroke due to damage to the blood vessels in the brain, and can adversely affect cognitive function, leading to conditions such as dementia or cognitive decline.