The risk of high blood pressure goes up if you're older than age 35 or overweight or if you smoke. Most birth control pills and patches have warnings that high blood pressure may be a side effect. If you have a stuffy nose, choose a cold or allergy medicine that says it's made for people with high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, it's best to stay away from decongestants. Some examples of aerobic exercise that can help lower blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and dancing. Carrying too much weight around the waist can raise the risk of high blood pressure. Controlling blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle might prevent, delay or lessen the need for medicine. By making these 10 lifestyle changes, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. Severely low blood pressure can lower the body's oxygen levels, which can lead to heart and brain damage. You may need lifestyle changes or other medicines to control blood pressure. Check with your healthcare team before taking any herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare team about any herbal supplements you take. It's important to see a healthcare professional to find out the cause of your symptoms. Your healthcare team can tell you what the best blood pressure goal is for you. Talk with your healthcare professional about methods that can help you quit, such as counseling or drug treatment programs. If you take these medicines, get regular blood pressure checks. Some immunosuppressants can raise blood pressure. Conditions that can cause low blood pressure Your gift can go 3X as far to shape the future of cancer care. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. If your blood pressure goes up, you may be sensitive to caffeine. Check your blood pressure about 30 minutes after drinking a cup of coffee or another beverage that has caffeine. But this may make blood pressure go up for a short while. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. Other factors affect blood pressure as well. Some health conditions and the use of certain medicines can cause it. Low blood pressure has various causes. A transfusion also may be used when certain components of blood are low or not working. A blood transfusion replaces blood lost from an injury or during a surgery. A blood transfusion is a common procedure for receiving donated blood or components of blood. Some can narrow the arteries that supply blood to the heart. As a result, blood pressure might go up. You might be able to check it only once a day or less often. Home blood pressure monitors are available widely and without a prescription. More research is needed on the effects of stress reduction techniques to find out whether they can lower blood pressure. Long-term stress may play a part in high blood pressure. Increased blood pressure may be categorized as elevated, stage 1 or stage 2 depending on the specific numbers.If your blood pressure goes up or isn't well controlled, you may need medicines and lifestyle changes to control blood pressure.Tell your healthcare team about any herbal supplements you take.The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories.The hormones may raise blood pressure in some people.These medicines help keep the body from rejecting the new organ. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. That's why it's always best to get a checkup. Certain foods also can turn urine red, including beets and rhubarb. Some herbal supplements contain ingredients that can raise blood pressure. More research is needed to see if caffeine raises blood pressure for longer times. A birth control pill or device that has a lower dose of estrogen is less likely to raise blood pressure. The hormones may raise blood pressure in some people. The reaction is treated by slowing the rate of transfusion. Guidelines also ensure that the donated blood is a good match for the recipient. Transfusions of whole blood are generally for emergencies when too much blood is lost from an injury or during a surgery. Blood transfusions usually have few complications. The blood is delivered through a narrow tube placed within a vein. Also, tell your care professional if you have ever had a reaction to a blood transfusion in the past. If your blood pressure goes up or isn't well controlled, you may need medicines and lifestyle changes to control blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked regularly if you take a stimulant. But in doing so, they may raise blood pressure. Too much water in the body may affect the kidneys and raise blood pressure. Having more than three drinks in one sitting raises blood pressure for a short time. Some medicines can cause urine to turn red, such as a medicine called phenazopyridine that eases urinary tract symptoms. Talk to a healthcare professional about home monitoring before you get started. Eat healthy, get exercise, lose extra weight and don't smoke. But if you don't have sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, follow these simple tips for getting more restful sleep. Finding and treating the cause can help improve sleep. Adults should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Getting fewer than seven hours of sleep every night for weeks can play a role in hypertension. Blood in the urine can look pink, red or cola-colored. It's such a small amount that it can be seen only under a microscope when a lab tests the urine. Blood that can't be seen with the naked eye is called microscopic hematuria. Making these 10 lifestyle changes is a long-term journey, and some days it might feel challenging. Blood pressure chart: What your reading means Urine leaves the body through a small tube called the urethra.For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.It can help to keep a record of your symptoms, when they occur and what you're doing at the time.Talk to your child's care provider if you're concerned that your child has high blood pressure.Blood transfusions are usually done in a hospital or an outpatient clinic.Blood that can't be seen with the naked eye is called microscopic hematuria.Causes could include spending too much time in the sun or in a hot tub.The donated blood used for your transfusion is a blood type that can be safely paired with your blood type. NSAIDs are medicines used to treat pain or swelling. Urine leaves the body through a small tube called the urethra. Urine moves from the kidneys to the bladder through narrow tubes called the ureters. The urinary system removes waste from the body through urine. Track your blood pressure at home and get regular checkups †These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition.If you use any of them and you're worried about high blood pressure, talk with your healthcare team.It helps your healthcare team decide what kind of treatment you may need, if any.If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices.Low blood pressure has various causes.As a result, blood pressure might go up.Most healthcare professionals consider blood pressure to be too low only if it causes symptoms. This blood pressure chart can help you figure out if your blood pressure is at a healthy level. There also will be safety checks to make sure you are getting the correct donor blood. The donated blood used for your transfusion is a blood type that can be safely paired with your blood type. See a health care provider whenever urine looks like it might have blood in it. Follow your healthcare professional's advice on how to manage cholesterol and blood sugar. Let your healthcare professional know if you often have trouble sleeping. Instead, your healthcare professional tracks your health during routine checkups. Tell your healthcare professional if you've ever received a card or letter indicating that you have a red blood cell antibody. Biologics called angiogenesis inhibitors, and some monoclonal antibodies may raise blood pressure. If you use any of them and you're worried about high blood pressure, talk with your healthcare team. Here are some of the medicines and supplements that can raise blood pressure. Some medicines, supplements and substances such as caffeine can raise blood pressure. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. If you have high blood pressure, do not drink alcohol or don't drink much alcohol. Binge drinking over and over can cause long-term rises in blood pressure. Almost anyone can have red blood cells in the urine. Ask your healthcare team which is the safest pain medicine for you. Or they may affect how high blood pressure medicines work. Know which medicines and herbal remedies can affect your blood pressure. A transfusion also may be used when certain components of blood are low or not working.Severely low blood pressure can lower the body's oxygen levels, which can lead to heart and brain damage.The American Heart Association classifies healthy blood pressure as normal.Ask your healthcare professional how much potassium you should have.Blood transfusions usually have few complications.A healthcare professional will check your temperature, heart rate and blood pressure before the procedure. A healthcare professional will check your temperature, heart rate and blood pressure before the procedure. If your blood pressure is well controlled, ask your healthcare professional how often you need to check it. Most healthcare professionals consider blood pressure to be too low only if it causes symptoms. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. You might develop a bruise around the needle site, but this should go away in a few days. The donated blood that's been stored in a plastic bag enters your bloodstream through the IV. That's why it's always best to get a checkup.Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.It can be scary to see blood in urine, also called hematuria.Controlling blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle might prevent, delay or lessen the need for medicine.The first time your blood pressure is checked, it should be measured in both arms to see if there is a difference.To help manage cholesterol and blood sugar, try some of the same healthy habits that help lower blood pressure.See a health care provider whenever urine looks like it might have blood in it.Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep, a condition called sleep apnea. An intravenous (IV) line with a needle is inserted into one of your blood vessels. Blood transfusions are usually done in a hospital or an outpatient clinic. The test also shows whether your blood is Rh positive or Rh negative. Also, medicines that increase urination are used to lower body fluids. Caffeine helps keep blood vessels open, which improves blood flow. Decongestants are found in many cold and allergy medicines. But it's harder for blood to go through a narrowed blood vessel. For those who have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring blood pressure down to safer levels. It's important to keep exercising to keep blood pressure from rising again. Regular aerobic exercise can lower high blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg. In general, blood pressure might go down by about 1 mm Hg with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight lost. Ask your healthcare professional about a healthy waist size for you. Talk to your child's care provider if you're concerned that your child has high blood pressure. The first time your blood pressure is checked, it should be measured in both arms to see if there is a difference. A nurse will monitor you during the procedure and take measures of your blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. Even a little less sodium in the diet can improve heart health and blood pressure. Ask your healthcare professional how much potassium you should have. Talk to a healthcare professional about setting up an exercise program for you. Birth control with hormones Common reactions include fever and mild allergic reactions that can be treated with medicines. In general, careful selection and handling of blood products reduces risks. Guidelines for donors and blood screening make viral infection, such as HIV and hepatitis, from a blood transfusion extremely rare. Transfusions also are a treatment when a certain component of blood, called a blood product, needs to be replaced. Blood transfusion A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous. It's important to find out what's causing low blood pressure so that it can be treated, if needed. What's considered low blood pressure for one person might be OK for someone else though. In general, low blood pressure is a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg. For some people, low blood pressure may be a symptom of an underlying health condition. The causes of low blood pressure include dehydration and other serious medical conditions. Sometimes, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. If your blood pressure goes up or isn't well controlled, talk with your healthcare professional. If you have high blood pressure, talk with your healthcare professional. If your blood pressure goes up or isn't well controlled, talk with your healthcare professional about your options. Regular visits with a healthcare professional also are key to controlling blood pressure. Your healthcare team will schedule follow-up appointments to test the treatment effect of the blood transfusion. Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these blood pressure numbers. If your top and bottom numbers fall into two different categories, your correct blood pressure category is the higher category. Here's a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean for you. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken on separate visits. Increased blood pressure may be categorized as elevated, stage 1 or stage 2 depending on the specific numbers. Or they may interfere with how blood pressure medicines work. You can see if caffeine raises your blood pressure. Caffeine can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure in people who don't use it all the time. If you take antidepressants, get your blood pressure checked regularly. If you take a pain medicine and your blood pressure goes up, you may need lifestyle changes and medicines. They can make the heart beat faster or unevenly. This may be due to the ways the medicines affect the kidneys. These medicines help keep the body from rejecting the new organ. Biologics are powerful medicines that use the body's immune system to fight disease, including cancer. So it's hard to say how many cups of coffee you can drink a day. It also can lower the risk of heart disease and improve overall health, possibly leading to a longer life. Doing that may lower high blood pressure by about 5 to 6 mm Hg. Sodium's effect on blood pressure varies among groups of people. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Your blood will be tested before a transfusion to learn whether your blood type is A, B, AB or O. And it's more common in people with diseases of the heart, blood vessels or kidneys. The risk of this reaction is higher if a large amount of blood product is transfused in a short amount of time. This condition happens when the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract let blood cells leak into urine. The bladder stores urine until it's time to urinate. They filter waste and fluid from the blood and make urine. It can be hard to tell whether a change of urine color is caused by blood. Red urine isn't always caused by red blood cells. It can help to keep a record of your symptoms, when they occur and what you're doing at the time. If you often have low blood pressure readings but feel fine, you might not need treatment. Causes could include spending too much time in the sun or in a hot tub. Extreme low blood pressure can lead to a condition known as shock. High blood sugar and high levels of "bad" non-HDL cholesterol raise the risk of heart disease. You can measure your blood pressure at home to help make sure that your medicines and lifestyle changes are working. Conditions that can disrupt sleep include sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and general sleeplessness, also called insomnia. Limiting alcohol to less than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men can help lower blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg. But for most adults, it's ideal to limit sodium to 1,500 mg a day or less. Aim for 3,500 to 5,000 milligrams (mg) of potassium a day. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Minor dizzy or lightheaded feelings from time to time can be caused by many things. For example, those symptoms could happen after a drop in systolic pressure from 110 mm Hg to 90 mm Hg. But if blood clots get passed in the urine, that can hurt. It takes only a small amount of blood to turn urine red. Red blood cells cause the urine to change color. If you can see the blood, it's called gross hematuria. But blood in urine also can be a sign of a serious illness. Alcohol may change how certain blood pressure medicines work. Weight gain will raise your chance of getting high blood pressure. Drinking too much alcohol can raise pressure on the walls of blood vessels to unhealthy levels. It can be scary to see blood in urine, also called hematuria. To help manage cholesterol and blood sugar, try some of the same healthy habits that help lower blood pressure. Potassium in the diet can lessen the effects of table salt and sodium on blood pressure. Aim to include strength training exercises at least two days a week. Strength training also can help lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association classifies healthy blood pressure as normal. If you have symptoms of extreme low blood pressure or shock, call 911 or your local emergency number. That's especially so when blood pressure drops suddenly or when low blood pressure occurs with symptoms. If you're overweight or have obesity, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower blood pressure. Weight loss is one of the best ways to control blood pressure. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep, a condition called sleep apnea. Low blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is too low. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested.Let your healthcare professional know if you often have trouble sleeping.Here are 10 lifestyle changes that can lower blood pressure and keep it down.You may need lifestyle changes or other medicines to control blood pressure.In general, blood pressure might go down by about 1 mm Hg with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight lost.If you can see the blood, it's called gross hematuria.Here are some of the medicines and supplements that can raise blood pressure. About Mayo Clinic More research is needed on the effects of stress reduction techniques to find out whether they can lower blood pressure.Blood in the urine can look pink, red or cola-colored.In general, low blood pressure is a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg.Decongestants are found in many cold and allergy medicines.Also, medicines that increase urination are used to lower body fluids.It also can lower the risk of heart disease and improve overall health, possibly leading to a longer life.Talk to a healthcare professional about home monitoring before you get started.This condition happens when the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract let blood cells leak into urine.If you have symptoms of extreme low blood pressure or shock, call 911 or your local emergency number. Here are 10 lifestyle changes that can lower blood pressure and keep it down. But lifestyle changes play a vital role in treating high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you may wonder if you need to take medicine to treat it. Low blood pressure might cause no symptoms that you notice. If your blood pressure is OK, following a healthy lifestyle may prevent or delay high blood pressure or other health problems. †These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. It helps your healthcare team decide what kind of treatment you may need, if any.