Heart and blood vessel problems develop over time and occur when arteries that supply the heart or brain with blood slowly become clogged from a buildup of cells, fat and cholesterol. This build-up is called plaque. When the blood flow gets blocked, you could have a heart attack or stroke. To learn more about a specific cardiovascular disease, click here . High Blood Pressure High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the pressure in your arteries is consistently above the normal range.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.
There are usually no signs, so you must see a doctor regularly. Also, no one knows exactly what causes most cases. High blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke, kidney failure, damage to the eyes and atherosclerosis. For more information about high blood pressure, click here . Back To Top Hardening of the Arteries Hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, is when the inner walls of the arteries become narrower due to a buildup of plaque.