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Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body. Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls.
Blood pressure goes up and down throughout the day. When it stays up over time, it’s called high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Millions of adults in the US have high blood pressure. Many others have “prehypertension.” This means that they don’t have high blood pressure yet. But they’re at a high risk for developing it.
Why high blood pressure is dangerous
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood. This can lead to:
- Heart attack
- Hardening of the arteries
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Blindness
Life with high blood pressure
Work with your doctor to manage high blood pressure. You may have to try different medicines to find one that works for you. You may also need to change your diet and lifestyle.
Change won’t come overnight. But, with the right treatment, you can help keep your blood pressure under control.
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