The heart must therefore work harder to maintain the higher pressure.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States.
The most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease is hypertension. High blood pressure is the key risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and mortality. Essential or primary hypertension means that there is no underlying condition that is causing the blood pressure to increase. When an underlying cause is detected, the elevated blood pressure is considered to be secondary hypertension. Unless blood pressure readings are very high, initial efforts at controlling blood pressure in essential hypertension are usually based on lifestyle changes.