healthnotes

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure, ac- cording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure fluc-

tuates during the day. If it stays high for too long, it can cause heart damage and other health problems.

In addition, high

blood pressure increas- es the risk for heart dis- ease and stroke, both leading causes of death in the U.S.

High blood pressure

is called the “silent killer” because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. To know whether you have high blood pressure, have a doctor or other health professional measure it. Learn more at www

.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/ about.htm.

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IMAGES: LEFT, COLIN HAYES; ABOVE, SHUTTERSTOCK