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Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Health Center

Hypertension Overview

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke so it’s important to know how to lower high blood pressure. Hypertension risk factors include obesity, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and family history.

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Coffee May Combat High Blood Pressure

Older people with high blood pressure who drink one to two cups of coffee a day have more elastic blood vessels than those who drink less or more, Greek researchers report.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. There are generally no symptoms of high blood pressure, so you usually don't feel it. In fact, nearly one-third of people who have hypertension don't know it. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:

webMD Video

Show or hide information about video: How Hypertension Affects Cardiac Risk   How Hypertension Affects Cardiac Risk

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Jonathan Sackner Bernstein, MD, talks about high blood pressure and its effect on cardiac diseases

Watch Video: How Hypertension Affects Cardiac Risk (opens in a new window)

Show or hide information about video: Detecting High School Hypertension   Detecting High School Hypertension

Show or hide information about video: Fighting Strokes   Fighting Strokes

Show or hide information about video: Hypertension Implant   Hypertension Implant

Show or hide information about video: Soy for High Blood Pressure   Soy for High Blood Pressure

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