Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a disease that affects millions of people of all types. Furthermore, although stress and emotional tension can temporarily increase blood pressure; but it will not be considered as high blood pressure. Hypertension usually is present without symptoms. It can happen and remain invisible for many years. People, until told by a doctor, generally ignore high blood pressure. People are unaware of how hypertension affects the body, how it is measured, what the symptoms of hypertension are, and which people/ethnic groups are affected by hypertension more than others. Recent research has revealed that underdiagnosed hypertension affects millions upon millions of people, from teenagers to older adults. High blood pressure affects many lives, but most people don't know what high blood pressure is. (“Merriam-Webster Dictionary,” 2014) High blood pressure is defined as “abnormally high blood pressure, especially in the arteries.” Also known as hypertension. An individual must know what hypertension is to combat it. (Heart.org 2014) Hypertension occurs when arteries pump blood back and forth to the heart at high pressure, which in turn makes it even harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. High blood pressure is not triggered by stress or emotional tension, but it can raise blood pressure. To know whether your blood pressure is normal or high, you will need to know what numbers to look for. (Heart.org 2014) Normal blood pressure for a person is when the systolic pressure is less than 120 and the diastolic pressure is less than 80. Ex: 120/80. Know what normal blood pressure is or when blood pressure will be considered pre-i...... middle of paper ...... 2012) Some types of drugs are diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and alpha- beta-blockers. Example: Lisinopril. To find out which drug cocktail will work for you, you can have your doctor determine it. Always consult a doctor regularly to ensure that the warning signs of high blood pressure are addressed promptly. Understanding blood pressure and becoming aware of the signs and symptoms will allow people to be better informed about how it affects the heart and body. After doing some research, I didn't realize how common hypertension is and how most aren't aware they have it until something serious happens. I would strongly suggest everyone get their blood pressure checked regularly. Seeing that so many Americans suffer from high blood pressure, I need to be even more conscious of what I put in my mouth along with diet and exercise.