High blood pressure. Computer artwork of a heart surrounded by sphygmomanometers, depicting high blood pressure (hypertension). A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. The dials seen here show a high reading (over 140). Risk factors for hypertension include smoking, obesity and stress. If untreated it can lead to congestive heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure or stroke. Treatment includes improving the diet, increasing exercise and the use of drugs such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.