It’s important to get the facts so you can reduce your risk for stroke, heart disease or kidney disease by controlling as many high blood pressure risk factors as you can. more info.

I can take any kind of over-the-counter medications when I have a cold or the flu.

That’s not true. People with high blood pressure should know that taking certain cold, cough and flu medications could be dangerous. Decongestants have been reported to increase blood pressure and may interfere with blood pressure medications. Many over-the-counter drugs can have a dangerous effect on certain heart conditions and increase your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. If you’re one of the 65 million Americans who have high blood pressure, make sure to choose cold and flu medications that don’t contain decongestants. Learn more about safe over-the-counter medications.

You don’t need to have your high blood pressure checked until you reach middle age.

It’s a good idea to start having your blood pressure checked at an early age — even children as young as 6 can have high blood pressure. When kids reach the teen years, they should certainly have their pressure checked. According to research, teenagers with the highest blood pressure and extra pounds have thicker arteries by age 30. Preventing fatty build ups in artery walls may depend on keeping boys and girls from becoming overweight as adolescents, or helping them lose excess weight if they’re already obese. Age, body size and the degree of sexual maturation determine blood pressure levels in adolescence. Heavier and more sexually mature teenagers tend to have higher blood pressure. Learn more about children and high blood pressure.

Keywords: High Blood Pressure, Stress, Symptoms of High Blood Pressure