Everyone needs some blood pressure in their arteries. The force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is called the blood pressure. The systolic pressure occurs after the heartbeat and is the higher reading. The lower pressure, or diastolic pressure, is the pressure in the arteries in-between heartbeats. If the arteries or pipes become narrowed or clogged, then the heart has to pump harder to deliver the blood to the tissues, and the pressure in the arteries goes up.
Hypertension can cause strokes, heart attacks, heart and kidney failure.
If these lifestyle changes do not control or prevent hypertension, then drug therapy is necessary. Control of other risk factors that interact with blood pressure is also important. Smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes accelerate the damage by high blood pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, it is important to manage and control all of these factors. Remember, high blood pressure may cause no symptoms.