If you're unfamiliar with the term, you may have heard of "high blood pressure." This is not entirely accurate, however, as many people experience an occasional increase in blood pressure due to numerous factors such as stress, dietary changes, illness, and use of certain medications, while true hypertension is a chronic condition. If you or someone knows you have hypertension, it is essential that the condition is evaluated, treated and monitored by a qualified doctor. When hypertension is left untreated, it can lead to numerous other serious conditions and, in the worst case, even death. The blood pressure of an average healthy adult is generally less than 120/80. When contributing factors are present, it is not uncommon to experience an occasional, temporary increase in blood pressure. This is usually no cause for alarm, as blood pressure will soon return to its normal state. If this does not happen, it is recommended to seek medical attention. In the absence of contributing factors, or if blood pressure does not return and stabilize at a normal level, prehypertension or stage one or two hypertension may be present. In this type of case, if your blood pressure is slightly higher or significantly higher than the normal value of 120/80, the sooner you seek competent medical care, the more likely you will be able to keep your blood pressure under control. This, in turn, will reduce the risk of more serious health complications. If you have high blood pressure, this means that your heart has to work even harder than it should to do its job of pumping blood. If left untreated, this can result in heart or kidney failure, permanent eye damage, stroke, and serious complications… they will probably be quite obvious to you. The key is if the symptom or symptoms are outside your normal range of experience and are not directly related to your normal activities. It should go without saying, but in the interest of your health it is perhaps a good idea to add, that if you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Don't make the mistake of trying to diagnose yourself or, even worse, dismissing such symptoms and waiting for them to pass. Protecting your health should be your primary concern. Whether or not you have had symptoms of hypertension, being evaluated for this condition is a simple and painless procedure. It won't take more than a few minutes of your time and will definitely be worth the peace of mind gain!