High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure put on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through them. It is perfectly normal for blood pressure to vary from time to time; it may go up when we are excited and go down when we are at rest. However, in some people blood pressure remains at higher levels than it should. This condition is called hypertension and about 25,000,000 people in the United States have it. Continued high blood pressure overworks the heart and circulatory system and thus reduces their ability to function as well as they should. The kidneys can also be affected.

Hypertension sometimes causes no symptoms and only a doctor can tell when it is present. Treatment can do a great deal to control it. Doctors can choose from an increasing number of drugs and other methods of management, such as diet and changes in living habits.

Low blood pressure occurs in many healthy people, and is usually considered an asset.