Hypertension

Overview

Also known as high blood pressure.

Blood pressure refers to the amount of force your blood puts on the walls of your arteries as it flows through your body. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, means there is too much pressure on your artery walls.

Untreated hypertension can damage your heart, blood vessels and major organs, like your kidneys. Unfortunately, hypertension often has no symptoms. About 33 percent of American adults have high blood pressure and many of them live for years without knowing it.

Next: Causes