About High Blood Pressure High blood pressure, or hypertension,
is a condition that may not cause any noticeable symptoms for
years. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that
may not cause any noticeable symptoms for years. Having your
blood pressure checked is the only way to know if it is high.
Yet, untreated hypertension can result in serious illnesses,
such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke and kidney
failure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Diet
and lifestyle changes may be enough to control mildly elevated
blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe blood pressure
medication and lifestyle changes if your blood pressure is
moderately to severely high. The AHA says the following
lifestyle choices can help reduce your blood pressure. Inhaling
cigarette smoke stimulates your heart, making it beat faster. It
also narrows your blood vessels, causing your blood pressure to
rise temporarily. Smoking is also a major risk factor for heart
disease, leading to hardeni