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High Blood Pressure

Use this LibGuide to learn about high blood pressure (hypertension), how to measure blood pressure, the risks of high blood pressure, and more.

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This guide provides reliable sources and information about high blood pressure.

"Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

When your blood pressure stays high over time, it causes the heart to pump harder and work overtime, possibly leading to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure." High Blood Pressure | Hypertension | MedlinePlus