Three Simple Ways To Reduce Your Blood Pressure

Author: Denise Mardis

Three simple ways to reduce your blood pressure

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, one in three American adults suffers from high blood pressure. This can be caused by genetics, lifestyle or a combination of the two, explains WebMD. Many people have high blood pressure for years without realizing it as there are no symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to attend regular check-ups with a physician to monitor blood pressure. Failing to do so may lead to a variety of serious problems such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and many other ailments.

If you currently have high blood pressure there are things you can do to reduce it and your risk of having some of these further health conditions. After talking to your doctor, consider this list of basic ways to improve your blood pressure.

1. Get active - Being active is one of the best ways to control your blood pressure, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. You don't have to run on the treadmill everyday to get exercise, there are a lot of ways to get moderate exercise around your house. Raking leaves, cleaning or gardening are great ways to get some activity in your day.

2. Decrease salt, increase potassium - Health.com explains that it is important to reduce your intake of sodium when struggling with high blood pressure. The resource suggests doing this by eating mostly whole foods because processed foods often have a high salt content. Potassium can help counter the effects of sodium, so consider eating more bananas to lower your blood pressure.

3. Enjoy some dark chocolate - This is a suggestion that isn't hard to follow, especially if you have a sweet tooth. WebMD says there have been several studies which have demonstrated the beneficial effects of dark chocolate on lowering blood pressure.

In Brief

  • According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, one in three American adults suffers from high blood pressure.
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