Harvard Health Blog

High blood pressure: Why me?

POSTED MAY 2, 2016, 9:00 AM
Naomi D. L. Fisher, MD, Contributor

“I go to the gym, and I never add salt. So why do I have high blood pressure?” Despite its astonishing prevalence of one in three Americans, many people struggle with the diagnosis of high blood pressure, or hypertension. It’s worth exploring why, because being an active participant in your care is crucial for optimal blood pressure control.

Continue reading the article »

Get your copy of Controlling Your Blood Pressure

Product
Page - Controlling Your Blood Pressure

An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, many people don't even know they have it, because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates exponentially. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect and treat. Sometimes people can keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing activity, and eating more healthfully.

Pressed coffee is going mainstream — but should you drink it?

POSTED APRIL 29, 2016, 9:30 AM
Heidi Godman, Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publications

The coffee aficionados in my life seem a little smug these days. They feel vindicated now that the brew they’ve long touted as superior — European pressed coffee — has finally gained mainstream acceptance. No longer the domain of trendy coffee houses and upscale restaurants, pressed coffee is now fashionable in the United States and the device to make this kind of coffee — known as a French press — has begun popping up on all kinds of store shelves. But this hot trend has a cold hard fact you should know about.

Continue reading the article »

Controlling Your Blood Pressure

Featured content:

•	Blood pressure basics
•	Types of hypertension
•	Are you at risk for hypertension?
•	How hypertension damages your health
•	Diagnosing hypertension
•	... and more!