MAY IS NATIONAL HIGHBLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION MONTH! Y O U R F R I E N D S A T V A S C U L A R S U R G E R Y A S S O C I A T E S W A N T Y O U T O K N O W T H E R I S K S O F H I G H B L O O D P R E S S U R E High blood pressure, or hypertension, can affect the inner lining of your arteries. It can make the arterial walls less elastic and limit the blood throughout your body. This can cause an aneurysm that may one day rupture and cause internal bleeding.