High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common chronic health conditions worldwide. It often develops silently without noticeable symptoms. Untreated hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and vision loss. Early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle habits, home monitoring, and medications when appropriate can greatly reduce these risks. Treatment recommendations depend on an individual medical evaluation.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a condition in which the force of blood against artery walls remains consistently too high. It often causes no symptoms but increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and medications when appropriate can effectively control blood pressure.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against artery walls. A reading contains a systolic (top) number and a diastolic (bottom) number. Blood pressure naturally changes during the day. Hypertension is diagnosed using repeated elevated readings or validated home blood pressure monitoring.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Primary hypertension develops gradually and is influenced by age, genetics, excess sodium, obesity, inactivity, stress, poor sleep, alcohol, smoking, and insulin resistance. Secondary hypertension may result from kidney disease, sleep apnea, hormonal disorders, medications, or pregnancy.
Risk Factors
Age, family history, excess weight, physical inactivity, high sodium intake, low potassium intake, tobacco use, excess alcohol, diabetes, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, and chronic stress.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people with hypertension have no symptoms. Some may report headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nosebleeds, or blurred vision, but these are not reliable indicators of high blood pressure. Regular screening is essential.
Why Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous?
Persistent hypertension damages arteries and can affect the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, vision loss, aneurysms, and peripheral artery disease.