Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

When blood is pumped out of the heart and into the arteries, it pushes against the artery walls. Narrowed blood vessels or an increased volume of blood running through them causes greater pressure on the vessel walls. This added pressure makes the vessel walls grow thicker, harder and less elastic. Because the vessel passages become smaller, the heart has to work harder and needs more oxygen to pump the same amount of blood as it did before the condition existed.

Temporary elevations in blood pressure caused by fright or exercise are normal and do not harm the body. But sustained high blood pressure can have a long-term effect on important body organs. Over time, hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and heart failure by damaging blood vessels and restricting blood flow to vital organs. It is important to detect and treat hypertension early.