Term: Hypertension / High Blood Pressure

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2007-06-22

Definition:

Primary hypertension is often referred to as high blood pressure. The "tension" in hypertension describes the vascular tone of the smooth muscles in the artery and arteriole walls. Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it often has no symptoms. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart attack (acute myocardial infarction (AMI)), stroke, enlarged heart, or kidney damage.

See the Hypertension - Measuring Prevalence concept for more information on how hypertension is defined in MCHP research.

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