08/12/2024
Hypertension (also known as high blood pressure) is a medical condition where the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. Blood pressure is measured in two values: systolic (the pressure when the heart beats) and diastolic (the pressure when the heart rests between beats).
Hypertension is generally defined as having a systolic pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg or higher, measured on two or more separate occasions.
If left untreated, hypertension can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss. It is often called the "silent killer" because it may not show obvious symptoms, so regular monitoring of blood pressure is important for prevention and management.