Tips for Reducing Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a medical condition that occurs when the flow of the blood through the veins and arteries is more pressurized than usual. While moments of hypertension are a normal part of life, this is not a healthy state for the body to be in for extended periods of time. High blood pressure is a chronic illness for many people, but there are things that sufferers can do to lower their blood pressure.

Stop Smoking

• Smoking puts unnecessary strain on the heart, which can lead to high blood pressure. Smoking also causes a host of other health problems and people with hypertension are especially at risk. Smoking causes the blood vessels to contract, which increases blood pressure. Quitting smoking is a huge step toward lower blood pressure and a healthier you.

Exercise Often

• Regular exercise is another important step in lowering blood pressure. Regular exercise before hypertension presents itself can prevent it from developing, but if high blood pressure is already a problem, it isn't too late to start exercising. Regular exercise can help you to lose weight, which also aids in the alleviation of high blood pressure.

Limit Sodium

• High sodium levels alone will not cause hypertension, but limiting sodium can help to lower blood pressure. It is best to limit intake to about 2,000 milligrams per day or less. While sodium is a viable part of a well-rounded diet, too much sodium is not good. The human body only requires so much. Limit salty foods to lower sodium intake.

Limit Alcohol

• Alcohol is another factor that can cause significant issues with blood pressure. While alcohol is not completely off limits, stick to one or two drinks a day at most.

Look Into the DASH Diet

• Many people who suffer from hypertension are able to benefit from a more rigid eating plan that more clearly defines what they can and cannot eat as a method of lowering blood pressure. The DASH diet was formulated specifically for people with high blood pressure. DASH, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, instructs people to eat fewer sweets, cut back on red meat, eat more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and cut back on foods that are high in fats and cholesterol.

Consider Biofeedback

• Biofeedback is another, albeit less traditional, approach to lowering blood pressure. It is used to treat other conditions and behaviors as well. It is a way of teaching patients how to manage chronic symptoms in their bodies in a relatively noninvasive manner.

  Electronic instruments are used to monitor behavior and then feed the information back to the body electronically as a method of changing sometimes subconscious behaviors. While biofeedback can be a confusing topic, it has been used to treat issues like irritable bowels and epilepsy for quite some time. Talk to your health care practitioner about the possibility of using biofeedback to lower blood pressure.

Talk to Your Doctor

• Your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower blood pressure. There are different types of drugs that may be prescribed, from diuretics to calcium blockers. Combining effective medication with proper diet and exercise is the best way to lower high blood pressure.