New Delhi, March 1 -- High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly 1.3 billion people worldwide and remains one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. While most people focus on salt intake, stress, or lack of exercise as triggers, there is another culprit hiding in plain sight, everyday medications. From painkillers and cold tablets to steroids and antidepressants, certain commonly used drugs can quietly push your blood pressure higher.

According to Dr Sameer V. Pagad, Consultant Cardiologist, many patients struggle with uncontrolled readings without realising that the medicines they take for minor ailments may be contributing to the spike. Understanding how these drugs affect your body is the first step towar...