Hypertension

As blood circulates throughout the body, it exerts pressure on the walls of the arteries, the force of which is called arterial blood pressure. Blood pressure can rise temporarily due to exercise, stress, and emotions ranging from joy to anger. Usually, the pressure returns to normal when the condition is gone. In many people, however, blood pressure can remain high all the time (hypertension). Hypertension can lead to very serious diseases, such as strokes, heart disease, diabetes, eye damage, and kidney problems, considered for these reasons, one of the top health problems.

Hypertension is called primary or idiopathic when there is no underlying disease and no obvious cause. Most likely, it is due to a complex of lifestyle factors: diet, lack of exercise, stress, smoking have all been linked to hypertension. If hypertension is caused by another disease or condition, such as cardiovascular or kidney disease, adrenal disease, or thyroid disorders, then it is called secondary hypertension.