The National Institutes of Health offer easy steps to lower your blood pressure:
1. Maintain a healthy weight.
The NIH recommends consulting a doctor to find out if you are in a healthy weight range, then losing weight gradually and at a healthy pace if necessary.
2. Be physically active.
The recommended amount of daily exercise is only 30 minutes.
3. Eat healthy.
This means less saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol, and more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.
4. Decrease your sodium intake.
Find alternate spices to flavor foods, or use garlic or onion. Look for reduced-sodium options in pre-packaged foods and at restaurants.
5. If you are going to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
The recommended amount is one drink per day for women and two for men.
Information from the National Institutes of Health.
