An estimated 50 million Americans have hypertension, including one in three adults, and over 60% of all senior citizens.

About two million people are diagnosed with high blood pressure every year. One third of the people who have high blood pressure don't know they have the disease.

The frequency of hypertension increases with increasing age and body weight. Half of patients suffering their first heart attack are hypertensive and two thirds of patients suffering their first stroke are significantly hypertensive.

Certain people are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure: they include the elderly, people with a family history of high blood pressure, people who are overweight, and African Americans. Hypertension is the leading cause of kidney failure among African Americans.

Medical complications that commonly result from hypertension include atherosclerosis, stroke, aneurysm, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure , and eye damage.

Factors that can seriously aggravate hypertension and increase the risk of complications include: obesity, smoking, diabetes (types 1 and 2), kidney disease, high alcohol intake, excessive salt intake, lack of exercise, and certain medicines, such as steroids.