High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—is a condition that increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, coronary heartdisease, and other serious health problems. Blood pressure is the force of bloodpushing against the inside walls of arteries. The harder your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure rises. Over time, thewear and tear caused by untreated high blood pressurecan damage your blood vessels and vital organs.