Which of the following are target organs affected by hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to damage in several target organs, primarily due to the prolonged stress on the vascular system. The heart, brain, kidneys, and retina are particularly vulnerable to the effects of hypertension.

The heart is affected as high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, potentially leading to left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and increased risk of coronary artery disease.

The brain is at risk for hypertensive strokes, which can occur due to rupture of small vessels (hemorrhagic stroke) or blockage of blood flow (ischemic stroke). This can lead to acute neurological deficits or long-term disabilities.

The kidneys are also significantly impacted by hypertension, as it can cause nephrosclerosis, which is the hardening of blood vessels in the kidneys, ultimately resulting in chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

Lastly, the retina suffers from hypertenstion as well, where damage to the blood vessels can result in hypertensive retinopathy. This condition can lead to vision problems and is commonly monitored in patients with chronic high blood pressure.

In contrast, the other options include organs that are not classic target organs affected by hypertension, such as the lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach, and skin,