High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for global mortality.

As alarming as that is, know this: By lowering your numbers early on, you can reduce your risk of the devastating consequences of high blood pressure. However, if left untreated, hypertension (the medical term for high blood pressure) will increase your risk of heart disease, vascular disease, kidney failure, vision loss, and yes, even death. In fact, each 20-point rise above 115 in the higher number (the systolic number), doubles your risk of death from heart disease or stroke!