What is High Blood Pressure? | American Heart Association

First, lets define high blood pressure

High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is when your blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high.

In order to survive and function properly, your tissues and organs need the oxygenated blood that your circulatory system carries throughout the body. When the heart beats, it creates pressure that pushes blood through a network of tube-shaped blood vessels, which include arteries, veins and capillaries. This pressure blood pressure is the result of two forces: The first force (systolic pressure) occurs as blood pumps out of the heart and into the arteries that are part of the circulatory system. The second force (diastolic pressure) is created as the heart rests between heart beats. (These two forces are each represented by numbers in a blood pressure reading.)

See how high blood pressure can damage your arteries and heart.

The primary way that high blood pressure causes harm is by increasing the workload of the heart and blood vessels making them work harder and less efficiently.

Over time, the force and friction of high blood pressure damages the delicate tissues inside the arteries. In turn, LDL (bad) cholesterolforms plaque along tiny tears in the artery walls, signifying the start of atherosclerosis.

The more the plaque and damage increases, the narrower (smaller) the insides of the arteries become raising blood pressure and starting a vicious circle that further harmsyour arteries, heart and the rest of your body. This can ultimately lead to other conditions ranging from arrhythmiato heart attackand stroke.

You may not feel that anything is wrong, but high blood pressure could be quietly causing damage that can threaten your health. The best prevention is knowing your numbersand making changes that matterin order to prevent and manage high blood pressure.

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Last Reviewed: Oct 31, 2016

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What is High Blood Pressure? | American Heart Association