Learn about HIGH blood pressure, LOW blood pressure and everything in between.
Breaking down blood pressure If you’ve never been diagnosed with blood pressure issues, you might not have stopped to think about how blood pressure works or why monitoring it is important. BRAIN
What is blood pressure? When the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood puts pressure on the artery walls.
LUNG
Narrowed interior diameter and increased wall thickness
Healthy Artery
Hypertension
It’s typical to have your blood pressure checked when you visit the doctor, whether you’re there for a check-up or because you’re sick. That’s because high blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for Americans.
Tens of millions of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and many don’t have it under control. High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don’t know they have it.
HEART
On the other hand, some people are at risk for low blood pressure, which occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. If you have low blood pressure, your brain and other parts of your body may not get enough blood.
CAPILLARY
VEIN ARTERY
12
© 2023 United HealthCare Services, Inc.