This document provides an overview of hypertension including: prevalence in the US, blood pressure regulation mechanisms, stages of hypertension, hypertensive crises, pathophysiology, risk factors, target organ damage, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment regimens. It discusses the role of the kidneys, endothelium, baroreceptors, and RAAS system in blood pressure regulation. It also reviews epidemiological data on hypertension prevalence among different racial groups.