The Ray County Library is putting a focus on community engagement this summer. The library has been selected by the American Heart Association to receive a grant program dedicated to combating high blood pressure in rural areas. This will allow the library to promote local health resources and educate residents about hypertension, improving the health of the community. Hypertension occurs when the pressure in blood vessels is too high. Known as a “silent killer”, there are often no noticeable symptoms. Because of this, hypertension can go unnoticed and untreated over a long period of time, creating more serious health conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Unfortunately, hypertension is very common in the United States, with more than 3 million cases nationwide reported each year. It is important to monitor blood pressure to avoid becoming at risk for such diseases. One way this can be done is by being familiar with activities or physical traits that may create risk. Lack of…