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Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure NHLBI Logo
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High Blood
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Why Is High Blood Pressure Important?

image of woman High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. It also makes the walls of the arteries hard. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first- and third-leading causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure can also cause other problems, such as heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.

 Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke

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