Is hypertension a serious condition?

Hypertension is the most under treated cardiovascular condition. It can lead to heart disease, strokes and other health problems. Yet, according to a 1997 study by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, only 27 percent of individuals with high blood pressure are adequately controlled, leaving millions of others at risk of health problems, according to statistics in the USA. Physicians need to be more aggressive in controlling hypertension with medications, and the public needs to be made more aware of the risks.