Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition where the force of blood pushing against artery walls stays consistently too high, making the heart work harder than it should. Most people don’t feel symptoms, which is why it’s often called a “silent” condition, but untreated hypertension can lead to serious complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and vision problems. It develops from a mix of factors—age, family history, excess sodium, stress, lack of physical activity, alcohol use, and being overweight—and is diagnosed when blood pressure readings repeatedly measure at or above 130/80 mm Hg. While lifestyle changes such as reducing salt, staying active, and managing stress can help lower blood pressure, some people also need medication as part of their treatment plan.