These people have developed hypertension. However, in some people the adjustments become fixed and high blood pressure persists. The achievement of good flow (now at high pressure) eases possible problems for function of the brain and kidneys. The heart is induced to beat more forcefully so that blood pressure is maintained at a higher level, to overcome the restricted flow through the arterioles. Nerve reflexes are stimulated and hormones are then produced. Reduced flow of blood is detected in the brain, the kidneys and elsewhere.

The tone in the muscular walls of the arterioles determines how relaxed or constricted they are. The blood then enters small vessels with muscular walls, called arterioles. When the heart contracts, the blood inside the left ventricle is forced out into the aorta and arteries. Experts recommend that everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly (preferably yearly). This means most people don’t even realise they have it.

Hypertension usually produces no symptoms. Older people may experience a change in their blood pressure pattern due to their arteries becoming more rigid (less elastic). Hypertension is a common disorder of the circulatory system, affecting around one in seven adult Australians and becoming more common with age.

Other risk factors for atherosclerosis include cigarette smoking and high blood cholesterol. Atherosclerosis contributes to many illnesses, such as heart attack and stroke. The added stress on the arteries can speed up the clogging of arteries with fatty plaques (atherosclerosis). High blood pressure (hypertension) means that your blood is pumping with more force than normal through your arteries. Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted on the artery walls by the pumping blood. The heart pumps blood around the body through the blood vessels.

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