In addition to injuring your heart muscle, high blood pressure can also damage the walls of the arteries that supply fresh blood to your heart and the electrical system that controls the regular rhythm of your heartbeat. Over time, your left ventricle (the strongest part of your heart muscle) may become weak as it attempts to keep pumping blood throughout your body. As your heart muscle gets weaker, you may begin to develop the symptoms of congestive heart failure, including tiredness, shortness of breath, and water retention. To prevent this from happening and to stay healthy longer, follow your healthcare professional’s instructions. Control your blood pressure by making lifestyle changes, getting plenty of regular exercise, eating a balanced low-salt diet, losing weight, reducing stress, and taking anti-hypertensive medicines if needed, as prescribed by your doctor.