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Tag: reduce risk of stroke

The Benefits of Lowering Blood Pressure: How Even Modest Reductions Can Protect Your Heart and Health

Blood pressure, the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the arteries, plays a critical role in maintaining overall cardiovascular function. It is typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two values: systolic (the pressure during heartbeats) over diastolic (the pressure between beats). A healthy reading usually falls around 120/80 mmHg. However, when these values remain elevated over time—defined as hypertension—they begin to pose serious risks to cardiovascular health. High blood pressure can silently damage arteries, strain the heart, and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions. Because hypertension often develops gradually and without noticeable symptoms, many individuals remain unaware of the potential consequences until complications arise.