High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Many people have high blood
pressure (also called hypertension) without knowing it. That's
why it's sometimes called “the silent killer.” If you don't
detect and treat high blood pressure, it greatly increases your
risk of heart attack and stroke. What is blood pressure? Blood
pressure is the force of blood pressing against the walls of the
arteries, like the pressure of water in a garden hose. What is
high blood pressure and why is it bad for your heart? Sometimes
blood pressure increases to help your body deliver more blood
where it's needed-for instance, to your muscles during exercise.
However, if the blood pressure stays high for prolonged periods
of time, your heart has to pump blood against more resistance.
This makes your heart, and your arteries, more prone to injury.
Here's what can happen: - Arteries can become scarred, hardened,
and severely weakened - Atherosclerosis (fatty plaque buildup in
artery walls) can develop or increase - Blood clots can form in
the art