Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common medical condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries remains too high.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. When blood pressure stays elevated over time, it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems.
Symptoms
High blood pressure often causes no obvious symptoms. This is why regular blood pressure measurement is important, even when a person feels healthy.
Why Is It Important?
If high blood pressure is not detected and controlled, it can gradually damage blood vessels and important organs. Early detection and appropriate management can help reduce these risks.
Prevention and Control
Healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a balanced diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting excess salt, avoiding tobacco, and following prescribed treatment can help control blood pressure.
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO) — Hypertension
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — High Blood Pressure