Hypertension

Hypertension is a condition marked by an elevation in blood pressure within the body's arteries, potentially leading to long term complications. Increased blood pressure, which involves the intensity by which blood pushes up against blood vessel walls, can lead to a straining of the heart, as it must pump harder as blood circulates at high intensity. There are two types of hypertension: essential and secondary. Essential hypertension occurs in cases where no known cause presents itself, while secondary hypertension results from known causes such as kidney disease. Blood pressure can be lowered through healthy lifestyle changes and prescription drugs, such as ACE inhibitors and diuretics, among others.