Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the pressure in your blood vessels is too high. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: the first number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats (systolic pressure), while the second number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats (diastolic pressure) . In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher. Hypertension can cause serious damage to important organs like the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. It can also lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg. Hypertension is a common condition that affects nearly half of adults in the US. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, as untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of serious health problems.