Eight everyday behaviors that can cause blood pressure to spike; people with hypertension should be wary.

Factors that can raise blood pressure in daily life: A person's blood pressure is not constant throughout the day, but fluctuates within a certain range. For healthy individuals, this physiological fluctuation is tolerable, not only harmless but also necessary. However, the situation is different for those with already significantly elevated blood pressure, such as hypertensive patients, the elderly, or those with poor blood vessel elasticity or existing damage (e.g., arteriosclerosis). This is because these individuals have significantly reduced tolerance to elevated blood pressure, and sometimes a sudden increase in blood pressure can rupture a pathologically damaged cerebral artery, causing blood to leak out—what is known as cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, hypertensive patients, arteriosclerosis patients, and the elderly should pay particular attention to the following situations where blood pressure may further increase:

(1) When exerting full force to lift, carry, or lift heavy objects; blood pressure increases sharply and significantly, with systolic pressure rising by 50-100 mmHg or even higher, but blood pressure quickly returns to normal upon cessation of exertion. (2) During outbursts of anger, extreme terror, or extreme mental stress: Blood pressure can rise sharply, with systolic pressure increasing by 20-80 mmHg or more, and diastolic pressure also significantly increasing. After the anger or terror subsides, blood pressure returns to normal, but the recovery is slower than during exertion.

(3) During extreme excitement such as ecstasy or loud laughter: Blood pressure can also rise sharply, with the increase similar to that during extreme mental stress.

(4) During urination or defecation, especially in those with constipation: Prolonged defecation or excessive straining can significantly increase blood pressure, with systolic pressure increasing by 30-70 mmHg or more, and diastolic pressure increasing by 20-80 mmHg or more.

(5) During coughing, especially paroxysmal severe coughing: Blood pressure can rise suddenly, with the increase proportional to the severity of the cough. At its highest, systolic pressure can increase by about 60 mmHg.

(6) During loud, continuous speaking (lectures, speeches): Especially during emotionally charged debates, blood pressure can rise sharply, with the increase similar to that during extreme excitement. (7) Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption raises blood pressure and increases the incidence of hypertension. Different types of alcohol have different effects on blood pressure; alcohol with higher alcohol content causes the most significant and severe increase in blood pressure. For those already suffering from hypertension or elevated blood pressure, excessive drinking can easily cause a further rise in blood pressure; abstaining from alcohol can lower blood pressure. For those with a drinking habit, halving their daily alcohol intake can lower systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg; abstaining from alcohol is even more effective. Excessive consumption of strong liquor (alcoholism) can cause a temporary and significant spike in blood pressure in some individuals, and is a major cause of stroke induced by alcoholism.

(8) Salt Intake: Studies on reducing salt intake have been widely conducted worldwide. For elderly people over 60 years old, reducing daily salt intake to 6 grams resulted in an average decrease in systolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 5 mmHg. A daily salt intake of 7-8 grams is recommended for normal individuals. Currently, salt intake is generally high among Chinese residents, resulting in a high incidence of hypertension. Halving daily salt intake is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.