Soda is full of caffeine too, deep breathing is wonderful, my daughter swears by it. Whoopi Goldberg said one time when asked how she lost her weight, was walking. She walked one way until she started getting tired, then turned around and walked home. I thought that made sense at the time, not that I have done it. I would imagine that alcohol plays a role in BP too. My husband is on terrifically strong medications for high BP, did your parents have it in later life? It's also an inherited factor. Good Luck, I know how distressing it is to always feel good and have good readings and then boom, one day its a different story. Another thing you should do, if you haven't and I don't know if anyone mentioned it or not, but buy a blood pressure cuff and take it at home. You could also have what my husband has to a degree, and that is "white coat syndome". Just get near someone medical and up it goes. Take it at home, write it down and keep a log for the next time you see the doctor. Another tip, and a very important one, DO NOT stop taking the medication, because that could be very dangerous and do more harm than good. You have to be gradually weaned off of it. Ain't gettin' old grand? Guess it beats the alternative though doesn't it!!!!