Blood pressure is determined by two factors. The force with which the heart pumps the blood throughout the body and the resistance of the blood vessels through which it flows. Therefore, a certain amount of pressure is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the circulatory system.
When there is too much pressure, we speak of hypertension, a condition that often takes a long time to manifest itself. The consequences, however, can be severe and include heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. There are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary.
Primary hypertension accounts for about 85% of all cases and is associated with factors such as obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and stress. Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, is linked to an underlying condition.