Blood Pressure Archive

Beta blockers have long been standard treatment for people after a heart attack. New evidence suggests they may not help those whose hearts still pump normally, though the drugs remain important for heart attack survivors with reduced ejection fraction.

Population-based studies have linked regular sauna use with better heart health. The high temperature inside a sauna-which usually ranges from about 150° F to 195° F-causes blood vessels to dilate, raising the heart rate and increasing blood flow throughout the body. However, randomized trials haven't found much evidence that saunas can improve measures of cardiovascular health. People with low blood pressure, valve disease, and heart failure should be cautious while using saunas.

The 2025 blood pressure guidelines recommend starting drugs to treat hypertension if people don't meet blood pressure goals after three to six months of lifestyle changes. The guidelines also recommend that everyone with high blood pressure be screened for primary aldosteronism, and suggest that people with resistant hypertension (stubbornly high blood pressure) consider renal denervation, a procedure that disrupts some of the nerves around the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys.

Culinary salts such as Himalayan pink salt, kosher salt, fleur de sel, and flaky sea salt can lend a delightful crunch or flavor to foods. However, they consist largely of sodium chloride, just like table salt, and are no healthier. Consuming too much sodium is tied to increased risks for damage to the heart, kidneys, and brain. Dietitians advise using only a small pinch of a fancy salt, perhaps as a garnish or condiment, to satisfy taste buds without going overboard with the salt shaker.

A 2025 study identified poor sleep along with high blood pressure, nicotine use, and high blood sugar levels as particularly important factors increasing the long-term risk of heart problems for women in midlife.

A 2025 survey suggests that many adults don't have a good understanding of high blood pressure, including not knowing what reading signifies high blood pressure and confusion about symptoms related to the condition.

A diet low in sodium and rich in plant-based foods promotes a diverse, balanced population of gut microbes, which may help people maintain a healthy blood pressure. A salty diet increases the prevalence of bad microbes and reduces the number of beneficial microbes. When bad microbes accumulate in the gut, they form breakdown products and toxins that promote inflammation. Beneficial microbes feed on fiber, which is why a diet that provides a mix of healthy fiber from plant-based foods helps. These microbes produce short-chain fatty acids, which interact with specific receptors on cells that help regulate blood pressure.

Researchers have found that high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking had the greatest association with the likelihood of a dementia diagnosis as people age. Managing these issues could offer protection.

A 2025 study suggests that postmenopausal women may be able to lower their blood pressure simply by standing more often each day.

People with high blood pressure typically die earlier than people without the condition. A 2025 study suggests that they can significantly lower-or even eliminate-that difference by controlling several key risk factors.