Nearly one-third of Americans believe high blood pressure has noticeable symptoms like dizziness — a dangerous misconception. Learn more about this common but often misunderstood health condition and ways to manage it.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States and is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Despite its prevalence, a recent health survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) reveals that many Americans remain dangerously misinformed about the condition.
The survey, conducted among 1,653 U.S. adults in April 2025, found that 35% have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, with two-thirds of this group expressing concern over their condition.
However, only 13% of respondents could correctly identify the current threshold for high blood pressure, defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
“Because controlling blood pressure reduces one’s risk of serious health problems, including heart attacks and strokes, correcting misperceptions about ways to identify it should be a public health priority,” Patrick E. Jamieson, director of the policy center’s Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institute, said in a news release.
An alarming finding from the survey is that over a third of Americans incorrectly believe that high blood pressure nearly always presents with noticeable symptoms such as dizziness and shortness of breath.
This myth contrasts sharply with the reality; the CDC asserts that high blood pressure typically has no signs or symptoms, earning it the nickname “the silent killer.”
Adding to the misconceptions, nearly 4 in 10 respondents mistakenly think that feeling calm and relaxed is an indication of normal blood pressure levels. This misbelief is particularly perilous, as it can prevent individuals from seeking timely medical intervention.
Despite these gaps in knowledge, the survey showed that most Americans are aware of effective strategies to lower blood pressure. Respondents correctly identified measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise and reducing salt intake as ways to manage the condition.
Encouragingly, high levels of reported willingness to adopt these measures if recommended by a doctor were found across the board.
“The high level of public knowledge about the habits that reduce blood pressure is heartening and a tribute to the health care providers and public health agencies that have centered this health indicator in the national consciousness,” added APPC research analyst Laura A. Gibson.
The urgency of accurate knowledge and proactive management of high blood pressure cannot be overstated. High blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of over 685,000 deaths in the United States in 2022. Furthermore, the American Heart Association (AHA) advises regular home monitoring of blood pressure at the same time each day, in consultation with health care professionals.
The APPC’s findings underscore the need for continuous public education to dispel harmful myths and promote effective management of high blood pressure.
Additionally, the sobering statistics from this survey should prompt further efforts from health care providers and public health campaigns to ensure that correct information reaches a broader audience.
Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania