High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the most common cardiovascular disease.
Blood pressure refers to
the force of blood pushing against artery walls as it courses through
the body. Like air in a tire or water in a hose, blood fills arteries to
a certain capacity. Just as too much air pressure can damage a tire or
too much water pushing through a garden hose can damage the hose, high
blood pressure can threaten healthy arteries and lead to
life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke.