Hypertension (high blood pressure): Fast Facts

The arteries carry blood to all parts of your body.

The force of the blood pumped out from the heart creates pressure on the walls of the arteries.

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, means that the blood flows with too much force, or pressure, against the artery walls.

You can't feel it, but that force can damage the walls of your arteries and your heart.