How to Reduce High Systolic Blood Pressure

Systolic blood pressure corresponds to the top number in a blood pressure reading. This measurement shows the pressure of blood in the body when the heart is contracting. If your top number is greater than 140, you have hypertension -- the term for high blood pressure. Reducing high systolic blood pressure has many benefits. Chronic, long-term hypertension can cause other problems as well: heart and kidney problems, stroke and death. By lowering your blood pressure, you reduce your risk of developing other health conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Medication (possibly)

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit your doctor. She can give you an accurate blood pressure reading and advise you on the best way to treat it. You may need to take medications, either for a short period of time or for a long-term period.

• 2

  Lose extra weight. Obesity can contribute to hypertension and make you less healthy in general. Eat plenty of health foods as well to boost your health.

• 3

  Reduce your consumption of sodium. Stop adding that extra salt to your food. Read labels in prepared food to check how much sodium is there.

• 4

  Stop smoking. This one step -- even though it may be difficult -- will do more than just lower your blood pressure. It will also improve the health of your entire body and reduce your risk of developing certain diseases like cancer and emphysema.

• 5

  Exercise. This is an important step to decreasing systolic blood pressure and increasing overall wellness. It also helps to reduce stress, which has numerous positive effects on the body.