3. Consider Cutting Back on Caffeine and Smoking

A morning coffee is a must around the house for myself. It can be easy to forget that the desired effect of coffee, that burst of energy, is brought on a by a drug. Caffeine is a stimulant and in small amounts is a great way to get a little boost to get a jump on the day or stay alert at night. Unfortunately, it’s also been shown to create spikes in blood pressure. While the official reason behind these spikes is unknown, it’s possible that caffeine blocks hormones in charge of widening your arteries. Another theory is that caffeine causes a release of extra adrenaline, causing an increase in blood pressure.

Cutting back on smoking might seem like a no-brainer for some, but addiction to nicotine is not easily dismissed. Smoking cigarettes or using chewing tobacco sharply increases blood pressure. Furthermore, prolonged use of these products can damage delicate artery walls, narrowing the passage for blood to get through and increasing the risk of hypertension.