Home > Hypertension > Effects of High Blood Pressure Get the Flash Player to see this player. Rate: (Click the stars to rate) Published on Jun 02, 2008 by matthewk, Views: 8483 High Blood Pressure is commonly called the silent killer, since there are usually no symptoms from high blood pressure. However, High Blood Pressure causes very serious effects on multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular system. It causes hardening of the arteries called athersclerosis. It can also cause thickening of the heart muscle, which can cause heart failure. Shortness of breath and leg swelling are findings of heart failure. I saw another video on the numbers for high blood pressure control. It seems as though you have to keep your numbers lower than were previously quoted. docdrh 11.10 years ago