Blood Pressure Archive

People with low blood pressure, which is defined as consistently having a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg, sometimes feel dizzy or lightheaded during or after exercise. But modifying your exercise routine and taking simple precautions can help.

A major study linked high intake of sugary drinks like soda, fruit juices, and sports drinks during teen years and early adulthood with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in middle age. Replacing sweet drinks with water, milk, or whole fruit may help offset some of those risks.

Timing your blood pressure pills can impact control and side effects. Discover how morning vs. bedtime dosing may affect your readings.

The DASH diet is a flexible, science-backed eating plan proven to lower blood pressure, while also reducing risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive decline. Emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, it’s a healthy way to eat that suits almost everyone.

When prescribing hypertension medications, doctors consider many factors, including whether a person has stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension and their other health conditions and lifestyle habits.

After starting treatment for high blood pressure, your hot flashes are back. Explore how medications and other conditions might be involved.

Momentary dizziness after a walk or rising from kneeling can signal blood pressure shifts, medications, heart disease, or low blood sugar. It merits a checkup.

People who aggressively lower their high blood pressure not only help their heart health, but also may protect their brains from cognitive decline in the process, according to a 2025 study.

For people over 60, aiming for a blood pressure target below 130/80 mm Hg may prevent more cardiovascular problems than aiming for the higher target suggested by some physicians. Some feared that the more intensive treatment required to reach the lower target might cause more adverse side effects (such as dizziness and falls) in older people. But side effects do not appear to differ among people taking intensive versus standard therapy.

Five numbers give a thumbnail assessment of overall heart health and what factors people might need to address to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke. These numbers offer ideal goals for most people, although targets vary for individuals based on age or other health conditions.