Is also referred to as high blood pressure, which is a medical condition where the blood pressure is chronically elevated; high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries carry blood from the heart to all the tissues and organs in the body. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body's tissues.

High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.

The top number, the systolic blood pressure, corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure to which the arteries are exposed.

One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. There are generally no symptoms of high blood pressure, so you usually don't feel it. In fact, nearly one-third of people who have hypertension don't know it. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:

• Severe headache
• Fatigue or confusion
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine

If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Untreated hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems. Prevention of hypertension only goes as far as the cause; one can adjust lifestyle related causes but genetics, race, age and gender are outside the realm of change. Modifiable factors include diet, weight, exercise levels and stress management.

Low-sodium and low-fat diets can reduce cardiovascular risks, keep arteries clear of plaque and blood volume at normal levels. Losing even 10% of body weight can have fantastic benefits towards health, including reversal or prevention of hypertension, dropping systolic pressures several points.Exercise maintains a healthy heart, thus healthy cardiac contractions and functions. The heart is a muscle too, working out the cardiac muscles makes the heart beat more efficiently, thus pumping blood around the body more effectively.