High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension (HTN), also known as arterial hypertension, is an increase in the arterial blood pressure above the normal range expected for a particular age group.
Blood pressure readings (Systolic/Diastolic mmHg) have two numbers. Systolic pressure is the pressure while the heart contracts and Diastolic pressure is the pressure between two contractions of the heart. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg while a high blood pressure reading is something like 140/90 mmHg.
There are many factors affecting blood pressure such as: age, gender, diet, smoking, stress and physical activity. These factors can lead to two classifications of high blood pressure. Primary or essential Hypertension and Secondary hypertension.