Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Hypertension is when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. High blood pressure mainly causes harm by increasing the workload of the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney disease, dissection of blood vessels, sexual dysfunction, and vision loss. It also contributes to dementia.

Associations/Risk Factors:

Diabetes

Unhealthy diet

Physical inactivity

Obesity

Excessive alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Genetics and family history

Excessive salt (sodium) intake, e.g. in processed foods or the habit of using a salt shaker prior to tasting a food