British doctor names five daily habits that can raise blood pressure

British physician Dr. Amir Khan has identified five common daily habits that can push blood pressure higher, according to his remarks on ITV programs "Lorraine" and "Good Morning Britain." The habits he cited are stress, excessive caffeine intake, insufficient sleep, certain medications and prolonged sitting. Khan explained that stress triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which speed up the heart rate and narrow blood vessels, raising pressure. Caffeine can cause a temporary increase even at low doses in sensitive individuals, he said. Poor sleep disrupts the body's ability to regulate blood pressure and stress hormones, and can prevent the natural nighttime dip in pressure. Some over-the-counter drugs, particularly decongestants that constrict blood vessels in the nose, can narrow vessels elsewhere in the body and affect blood pressure. Long hours of sitting harm circulation and vascular health, and Khan recommended short walks and stretching exercises throughout the day. Khan noted that high blood pressure often produces no obvious symptoms but can damage arteries over time, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and vascular dementia.