ArcaMax

You may feel happy that your blood pressure (BP) was healthy at your last doctor's appointment, but that could be misleading. For more than 10% of folks over age 50, that's not a good measure of their BP as they go about their day's activities. Apparently, being seated in a quiet examining room can mask their actual BP. But working, worrying, moving around, drinking alcohol frequently, smoking and/or being obese boosts it throughout the rest of the day -- and that's the more accurate measure of their risk for kidney disease, cardiovascular problems, heart attack and stroke. And that's not all.

Masked BP also increases the risk for falls in folks age 78 and older by an astounding 70% compared to folks whose BP has been accurately diagnosed and is kept below 125/85. That's because undiagnosed and untreated high blood pressure can cause dizziness or fainting.

To make sure your BP is accurately diagnosed, take your blood pressure at home several times a day or wear an ambulatory BP measuring device that gives you readings 24/7. (If you have white coat syndrome and your BP goes UP at the doctor's office, this is also recommended.)

To find out if the BP device you are using is reliably accurate, go to validatebp.org. Then, you can take off the mask and see your BP for what it really is! And to get rid of microplastics and mis-signaling proteins in your blood that raise your BP, see the research about therapeutic plasma exchange at Lifespan-Edge.com/research.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.

(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.