text: why do people have high blood pressure?   "high blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition. untreated, high blood pressure will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point where serious damage can occur. for instance, the heart muscle can thicken (hypertrophy) and function abnormally, or dilate and contract less forcefully (dilated cardiomyopathy). high blood pressure can cause injury to the brain, the eyes (retinopathy) and/or the kidneys (nephropathy). high blood pressure is present in about half of people having first–time heart attacks and two thirds of people having first–time strokes. most cases of high blood pressure have no cure, but the overwhelming majority can be managed and controlled with diet and medication. " excerts from heart center on-line.com