Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force exerted on artery walls as the heart pumps blood through the body. Hypertension occurs when blood pressure is constantly higher than the pressure needed to carry blood through the body. 

Hypertension often goes unnoticed and can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels which, if untreated, can lead to a stroke or heart attack. The IPH has systematically estimated and forecast the prevalence of hypertension on the island of Ireland.