According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls.” Normally, you blood pressure changes throughout the day.   A Normal Blood Pressure is 120mmHg/80mmHg. The top number is known as the Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) while the bottom number is the Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP). The SBP measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats. The DBP measures the pressure in your arteries in between beats. (i.e., when the heart is resting)  High blood pressure (Hypertension) is when the force of the blood is too high within the arteries, during heart contraction or relaxation.

Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. When food is consumed, the body breaks down the food into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar in your body’ s cells for use as energy. diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. Without proper use of insulin too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. This is what is referred to as diabetes. Several types of diabetes exist. Types of Diabetes Type one diabetes, type two diabetes, gestational Diabetes and Prediabetes. Type 1 Diabetes Type one diabetes is thought to be as a result of an autoimmune reaction where the body attacks itself by mistake. Symptoms of type one diabetes develop quickly, and it is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. A person diagnosed with type one diabetes will need to take insulin daily to survive. Type 2 Diabetes About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops slowly over time and is usually diagnosed in adults (although more and more children are being diagnosed). Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health problems. This type of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born.

A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to your brain is impaired or is stopped. This is an emergency situation. In order for your brain to work properly, it needs a constant supply of Oxygen. Your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your brain. Should something happen to block/stop the flow of blood, brain cells start to die within minutes. This is what happens during a stroke.     There are two types of strokes: Hemorrhagic and Ischemic.   Hemorrhagic: This occurs when a blood vessel in your brain bursts, spilling blood into nearby tissues. With a hemorrhagic stroke, pressure builds up in the nearby brain tissue, causing more damage and irritation.  Ischemic: This is the most common type of stroke. It happens when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, as a result of a blood clot or by a buildup of fatty deposit and cholesterol (otherwise known as plaque) which can cause narrowing of complete blockage.

Obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease of adults and children. It is serious because it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Obesity can lead to type two diabetes, heart, disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. Meaning it is passed down from parent to child, through the parents' genes. Healthy red blood cells are round and move easily all over the body. With SCD, the red blood cells are hard and sticky. They are shaped like the letter C (and like a farm tool called a sickle). These damaged red blood cells (sickle cells) clump together. They can’t move easily through the blood vessels. They get stuck in small blood vessels and block blood flow. This blockage stops the movement of healthy oxygen-rich blood. This blockage can cause pain. It can also damage major organs. Sickle cells die sooner than healthy cells. Normally the spleen helps filter infections out of the blood. But sickle cells get stuck in this filter and die. Having fewer healthy red blood cells causes anemia. The sickle cells can also damage the spleen. You are then at greater risk for infections

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