What can high blood pressure do?

I found a drug called Diovan - prescribed for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure - in my moms closet. I read into it and am now terrified. What can it mean?

• I was in my moms closet and found a pocketbook that I liked and wanted to borrow. I looked in it and found a prescription for Diovan. Clearly, she hid this because all of her other prescriptions she keeps in a draw in her bathroom. My mother is 55. She has a history of heart problems in her family and lost her mother from congestive heart failure. Her father passed away very young (she was 13) from a heart attack as well. She has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. She tries to hide her problems from me so I do not worry but I have overheard her speaking to my dad about problems she has (rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, palpitations while sleeping). I googled Diovan and saw it is prescribed for high blood pressure but also for congestive heart failure. I am terrified, I do not know what I would do if anything happened to my mom. I am an only child and she is my best friend in the world. I'm crying as I'm typing this. I'm not sure exactly what I'm asking, but it seems like a pretty serious drug. I am not looking for reassurance if it is not warranted, but would like to know what this could indicate? She probably would not tell me if she was diagnosed with anything serious. I'm hoping to help her improve her diet and plan to start walking with her once it gets warmer. I'm just very scared right now.

• Answer:

  It might just mean that she has high blood pressure. The drug  (valasartan) can and is prescribed for that alone. Why don't you talk to your mom instead of freaking out and going to strangers on the internet? . .This answer is not a substitute for professional medical advic...