5 healthy habits for a lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is improved by a balanced diet, exercise, weight loss if required, and moderate alcohol consumption. At any stage of life, lifestyle changes can really go a long way.
Trim down if you’re overweight: Blood pressure rises as weight increases. But you don’t have to become model thin to see an improvement in your blood pressure. Losing only 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight can lower blood pressure.
Eat wisely: A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol can help control blood pressure. One such eating plan is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which was shown to quickly lower blood pressure in research studies. Ask your doctor for details.
Go easy on salt: Limiting salt can also help control blood pressure. Flavor food with herbs and spices when cooking. And eat more fresh foods rather than salty, processed ones, such as chips and frozen dinners.
Do not Smoke: Because you have high blood pressure, you already have a heightened risk of heart disease and stroke. Smoking adds to your risk. And that makes high blood pressure and lighting up an especially dangerous combination.
Do regular work out and quit drinking: Thirty minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week can help decrease blood pressure. Drinking too much boosts blood pressure so stay away from alcohol.
