7 Little-Known Blood Pressure Facts

High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, vision problems and even dementia. Here are 7 little-known facts that could save your life.

1. High blood pressure isn’t a guaranteed part of getting older, but most people find that their numbers tend to climb as they age.


2. It often has no symptoms, even if it’s dangerously high.


3. If you’re over age 50, keep an eye on the top number in your blood pressure reading. It’s the key indicator of high pressure that can damage certain organs.


4. Optimal blood pressure varies from person to person, so be sure to consult your doctor about your target blood pressure.


5. Coffee can make blood pressure spike by an average of eight points for about three hours.


6. Breathing deeply (about six breaths per 30 seconds) has been shown to temporarily reduce blood pressure.


7. Certain over-the-counter medications (like some NSAIDS and cold pills that contain pseudoephedrine) can raise blood pressure.

Learn more about how to manage high blood pressure with our Hypertension Management Program.