Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: systolic (the pressure when the heart beats) and diastolic (the pressure when the heart is at rest). A normal blood pressure reading is usually around 120/80 mmHg, while hypertension is typically diagnosed when readings consistently exceed 140/90 mmHg. Factors like stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics can contribute to developing hypertension.