(NewsNation) — High blood pressure isn't classified as heart disease, but it plays a crucial role in the development of heart disease and other health issues. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While 50% of men have high blood pressure, only 44% of women are said to have the same condition. And only about 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure has their blood pressure under control. Understanding your risks, taking preventive measures and managing high blood pressure, if present, can help you avoid heart disease and other complications related to the issue. High blood pressure vs. heart disease High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. It's generally diagnosed when a person's blood pressure readings consistently exceed normal levels. Two numbers describe blood pressure. The top, “systolic” pressure, is the force blood puts on the walls of arteries as it's pumped out of the heart. The bottom “diastolic” number measures that same pressure but between heartbeats. Normal is less than 120 over 80. But blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day, rising higher when you’re physically active or stressed. When it stays high — consistently 130 over 80 or higher, according to the most recent guidelines — it stiffens arteries and makes the heart work harder. 23andMe customer DNA ‘up for grabs’ amid bankruptcy: Attorney Heart disease is a broad term used to reference many different heart conditions. The most common is coronary artery disease, which disrupts blood flow to the heart. This decrease in blood flow is the most common cause of heart attacks. Several risk factors significantly contribute to one’s likelihood of having heart disease, including high blood pressure, smoking and high blood cholesterol. Per the CDC, 47% of Americans have at least one of these risk factors. Can high blood pressure lead to heart disease? Major risks associated with high blood pressure are heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, dementia and even heart disease. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a group of health conditions that can lead to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The health conditions that make up metabolic syndrome are high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Many people don’t usually realize they have hypertension until it’s done serious damage. The damaging effects of high blood pressure are not related to time periods. Instead, it’s the level of your blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure, the higher the risk you may develop other health issues related to hypertension. Is there a cure for high blood pressure? Lifestyle changes are the first step, especially for otherwise healthy people. Guidelines urge losing weight, exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables, limiting salt and alcohol, and taking steps to handle stress. Medicine is a must once hypertension reaches 140 over 90. The average patient requires two or three drugs, sometimes more, along with healthier living, according to Dr. Randy Zusman of Massachusetts General Hospital. NewsNation's Patrick Djordjevic and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ...read more read less