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What is hypertension in simple words?

Hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure, is a medical condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high.

Arteries are the pathways through which the heart sends oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body.

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: the top number (systolic pressure) Indicates the pressure during the resting period between heartbeats and pushes blood out, while the bottom number (diastolic pressure) indicates the pressure when the heart rests between beats.

When someone has hypertension, it means that their blood pressure readings are consistently higher than what is considered normal.

This condition can put extra strain on the heart and arteries over time, potentially leading to various health problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and more. Hypertension often doesn't show noticeable symptoms, which is why regular blood pressure checks are important, especially as people get older, to catch and manage the condition early if necessary.

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