Final answer:
Chronic high blood pressure, or hypertension, is the cardiovascular damage caused by long-term exposure to stress, which places strain on the heart and can lead to severe health problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Long-term exposure to stress can damage the cardiovascular system by causing chronic high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This condition forces the heart to pump harder, placing significant strain on the cardiovascular system. Over time, sustained high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Hypertension is sometimes referred to as the silent killer because it often has no symptoms, and individuals may be unaware they have it until significant damage has occurred.