Hypertension and Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against blood vessel walls is consistently too high, increasing risks for heart disease and other issues. Cardiopulmonary bypass is a medical procedure used during heart surgery where a machine temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. This allows surgeons to operate on a still and bloodless heart. The bypass machine oxygenates and circulates blood, maintaining the body's vital functions while the heart is stopped for surgery. Both are important concepts in cardiovascular health and surgical treatment.