Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure and relates to the pressure or tension in the arteries and veins of the body. Blood pressure is the pressure that causes the blood to flow through the body from areas of high pressure, the arteries through the body organs and into areas of low pressure in the veins.

The pressure occurs as a result of the heart pumping blood into the arteries as well as the resistance to the flow of blood by the arteries. The arteries play a vital role in the functioning of our bodies as their role is to carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body.

Normal blood pressure generally has a reading below 120/80. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is referred to as pre-hypertension. High blood pressure has a reading of 140/90 or above.

The blood pressure reading is explained as the first number being the systolic blood pressure showing the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. The second number is the diastolic pressure which shows the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after contraction.

Any increase in the systolic or diastolic blood pressure will increase the risk of kidney disease, cardiac disease, hardened arteries, strokes and eye damage.

High blood pressure can usually be symptom free which means that it can go undiagnosed for many years, even decades, before it is too late to prevent some of the potentially fatal health problems which can result from it, such as strokes or heart attacks.

Therefore, someone can suffer from high blood pressure and not know it. This can result in the person suffering a fatality resulting from a stroke or heart attack. In fact statistics show this happens all to often.

There are cases where some people who have uncomplicated hypertension (or symptom-less high blood pressure) but may complain of dizzy spells, headaches, blurred vision or a shortness of breath. If this is the case, they should ensure they see a doctor for a medical check so problems can be treated promptly.

The earlier potential blood pressure problems are diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of controlling them. Waiting to long to have a doctor test and treat your high blood pressure may cause you to have considerable organ damage.