High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the most common long-term health conditions in the United States.
It affects nearly half of all adults and is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes—the two leading causes of death in the country.
Yet a new health survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) reveals that while many Americans are concerned about high blood pressure and familiar with ways to reduce it, most don’t actually know what blood pressure number is considered too high.
The survey, conducted in April 2025 among 1,653 U.S. adults, found that 35% of participants said they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and nearly 70% of them said they were somewhat or very worried about it.
Despite that concern, only 13% of respondents could correctly identify the current definition of high blood pressure—130/80 mm Hg or higher—as defined by health authorities like the CDC and the American Heart Association. Many still chose the older cutoff of 140/90, which was updated in 2017. Nearly a quarter said they weren’t sure at all.
Adding to the confusion, many people hold common but incorrect beliefs about blood pressure. Over one-third wrongly think that high blood pressure usually comes with clear warning signs like dizziness or shortness of breath.
In reality, high blood pressure usually shows no symptoms, which is why it’s often called “the silent killer.” Nearly 40% of people also falsely believe that feeling calm or relaxed means their blood pressure is normal, even though how you feel isn’t a reliable indicator.
On a more encouraging note, the vast majority of Americans do know which habits can help lower blood pressure. Over 80% correctly identified healthy behaviors like exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing salt, and taking prescribed medication as effective ways to manage blood pressure.
Only a tiny percentage—less than 3%—incorrectly thought drinking coffee or alcohol would help.
Many people also say they’re willing to follow medical advice. If a doctor recommended it, over 90% said they would be likely to watch what they eat, exercise, or monitor their blood pressure. Even among those without a diagnosis, most said they’d follow these recommendations if told to by a healthcare provider.
However, what people say they would do doesn’t always match what they actually do. While more than 9 in 10 people say they’d be likely to follow healthy habits, fewer report doing so regularly. Only 72% said they watch what they eat more than once a week, 61% said they exercise regularly, and just 57% limit their salt intake more than once a week.
Interestingly, people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure aren’t much more likely to follow these behaviors than those who haven’t. The only significant difference is salt reduction: 69% of people with a diagnosis said they limit salt regularly, compared to 51% of those without a diagnosis.
Taking medication was more common among those diagnosed, as expected. About 90% of those whose doctor said they need it report taking it daily. Among the small group that doesn’t, the most common reason given was that they didn’t think it was necessary.
Monitoring blood pressure at home is another area where improvements could be made. While 87% of both diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals say they would check their blood pressure if a doctor told them to, only a small number—just 10%—of those with high blood pressure say they monitor it daily.
The takeaway? Americans generally understand how to reduce their blood pressure and are open to making healthy changes, but many lack the most basic knowledge—like knowing what numbers to look out for—and struggle to consistently put advice into practice.
As Patrick E. Jamieson of the APPC put it, helping people correct these misconceptions should be a public health priority. Getting more people to understand what high blood pressure is, and helping them turn knowledge into daily action, could save thousands of lives.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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