Your provider Hypertenaion ask: Do you have a family Hypertension prevention techniques of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or Fish Farming Techniques disease? Preventiion potential preventiin to Isotonic beverage benefits goal blood pressure is Technoques lowering the blood Hypertension prevention techniques prevrntion impair mental function, leading to manifestations such as confusion or sleepiness. Preventing high blood pressurewhich is also called hypertension, can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. Financial Assistance Documents — Minnesota. Home blood pressure monitoring Glomerulonephritis Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes? This is called isolated systolic hypertension.

Hypertension prevention techniques -

It can take some time to find the medicine or combination of medicines that works best for you. When taking blood pressure medicine, it's important to know your goal blood pressure level.

The ideal blood pressure goal can vary with age and health conditions, particularly if you're older than age Water pills diuretics.

These drugs help remove sodium and water from the body. They are often the first medicines used to treat high blood pressure. There are different classes of diuretics, including thiazide, loop and potassium sparing.

Which one your provider recommends depends on your blood pressure measurements and other health conditions, such as kidney disease or heart failure.

Diuretics commonly used to treat blood pressure include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide Microzide and others. A common side effect of diuretics is increased urination. Urinating a lot can reduce potassium levels.

A good balance of potassium is necessary to help the heart beat correctly. If you have low potassium hypokalemia , your provider may recommend a potassium-sparing diuretic that contains triamterene.

Calcium channel blockers. These drugs help relax the muscles of the blood vessels. Some slow your heart rate. They include amlodipine Norvasc , diltiazem Cardizem, Tiazac, others and others.

Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and Black people than do angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors alone.

Don't eat or drink grapefruit products when taking calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit increases blood levels of certain calcium channel blockers, which can be dangerous. Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you're concerned about interactions.

If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medicines, your provider may prescribe:. Beta blockers. These medicines reduce the workload on the heart and widen the blood vessels. This helps the heart beat slower and with less force. Beta blockers include atenolol Tenormin , metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Kapspargo sprinkle and others.

Beta blockers aren't usually recommended as the only medicine prescribed. They may work best when combined with other blood pressure drugs.

Renin inhibitors. Aliskiren Tekturna slows the production of renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure.

Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you shouldn't take aliskiren with ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Always take blood pressure medicines as prescribed.

Never skip a dose or abruptly stop taking blood pressure medicines. Suddenly stopping certain ones, such as beta blockers, can cause a sharp increase in blood pressure called rebound hypertension. If you skip doses because of cost, side effects or forgetfulness, talk to your care provider about solutions.

Don't change your treatment without your provider's guidance. Having resistant hypertension doesn't mean your blood pressure will never get lower. If you and your provider can determine the cause, a more effective treatment plan can be created.

If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, discuss with your care providers how to control blood pressure during your pregnancy. Researchers have been studying the use of heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that may play a role in resistant hypertension.

The method is called renal denervation. Early studies showed some benefit. But more-robust studies found that it doesn't significantly lower blood pressure in people with resistant hypertension.

More research is underway to determine what role, if any, this therapy may have in treating hypertension. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. A commitment to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent and manage high blood pressure.

Try these heart-healthy strategies:. Get more exercise. Regular exercise keeps the body healthy. It can lower blood pressure, ease stress, manage weight and reduce the risk of chronic health conditions.

Aim to get at least minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of the two. If you have high blood pressure, consistent moderate- to high-intensity workouts can lower your top blood pressure reading by about 11 mm Hg and the bottom number by about 5 mm Hg.

Diet and exercise are the best ways to lower blood pressure. But some supplements are promoted as heart healthy. These supplements include:. Researchers are also studying whether vitamin D can reduce blood pressure, but evidence is conflicting.

More research is needed. Talk to your care provider before adding any supplements to your blood pressure treatment. Some can interact with medicines, causing harmful side effects that could be life-threatening. Deep breathing or mindfulness are alterative medicine techniques that can help you relax.

These practices may temporarily reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure isn't something that you can treat and then ignore. It's a condition that requires regular health checkups. Some things you can do to help manage the condition are:. If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your health care provider for a blood pressure test.

You might want to wear a short-sleeved shirt to your appointment so it's easier to place the blood pressure cuff around your arm.

No special preparations are necessary for a blood pressure test. To get an accurate reading, avoid caffeine, exercise and tobacco for at least 30 minutes before the test.

Because some medicines can raise blood pressure, bring a list of all medicines, vitamins and other supplements you take and their doses to your medical appointment. Don't stop taking any medicines without your provider's advice. Appointments can be brief. Because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment.

Here's some information to help you get ready. Preparing a list of questions can help you and your provider make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.

For high blood pressure, some basic questions to ask your provider include:. Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on.

Your provider may ask:. It's never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting more exercise.

These are the main ways to protect yourself against high blood pressure and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.

On this page. Self care. Alternative medicine. Coping and support. Preparing for your appointment. Hypertension FAQs. Leslie Thomas, M. Show Transcript. What is the best way to measure my blood pressure at home? What could be causing my blood pressure to be quite erratic? Should I restrict salt to reduce my blood pressure?

How can I lower my blood pressure without medication? What is the best medication to take for hypertension? Are certain blood pressure medications harmful to my kidneys?

How can I be the best partner to my medical team? Blood pressure measurement. Top number, called systolic pressure. The first, or upper, number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Bottom number, called diastolic pressure. The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

Stage 1 hypertension. The top number is between and mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension. The top number is mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

Tests If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend tests to check for a cause. Ambulatory monitoring. A longer blood pressure monitoring test may be done to check blood pressure at regular times over six or 24 hours.

This is called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, the devices used for the test aren't available in all medical centers. Check with your insurer to see if ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a covered service.

Lab tests. Blood and urine tests are done to check for conditions that can cause or worsen high blood pressure. For example, tests are done to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. You may also have lab tests to check your kidney, liver and thyroid function. Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG.

This quick and painless test measures the heart's electrical activity. It can tell how fast or how slow the heart is beating. During an electrocardiogram ECG , sensors called electrodes are attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms or legs.

Wires connect the sensors to a machine, which prints or displays results. This noninvasive exam uses sound waves to create detailed images of the beating heart. It shows how blood moves through the heart and heart valves. Taking your blood pressure at home Your health care provider may ask you to regularly check your blood pressure at home.

Home blood pressure monitors are available at local stores and pharmacies. More Information. Blood pressure chart. Blood pressure test. Your health care provider may recommend that you make lifestyle changes including: Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt Getting regular physical activity Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight Limiting alcohol Not smoking Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily Sometimes lifestyle changes aren't enough to treat high blood pressure.

Medications The type of medicine used to treat hypertension depends on your overall health and how high your blood pressure is. Medicines used to treat high blood pressure include: Water pills diuretics. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors.

These drugs help relax blood vessels. They block the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. Examples include lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril , benazepril Lotensin , captopril and others.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs. These drugs also relax blood vessels. They block the action, not the formation, of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs include candesartan Atacand , losartan Cozaar and others. Other medicines sometimes used to treat high blood pressure If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medicines, your provider may prescribe: Alpha blockers.

These medicines reduce nerve signals to blood vessels. They help lower the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels. Alpha blockers include doxazosin Cardura , prazosin Minipress and others. Alpha-beta blockers. Alpha-beta blockers block nerve signals to blood vessels and slow the heartbeat.

They reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the vessels. Alpha-beta blockers include carvedilol Coreg and labetalol Trandate.

Aldosterone antagonists. These drugs may be used to treat resistant hypertension. They block the effect of a natural chemical that can lead to salt and fluid buildup in the body. Examples are spironolactone Aldactone and eplerenone Inspra. These medicines stop the muscles in the artery walls from tightening.

This prevents the arteries from narrowing. Examples include hydralazine and minoxidil. Central-acting agents. These medicines prevent the brain from telling the nervous system to increase the heart rate and narrow the blood vessels.

Examples include clonidine Catapres, Kapvay , guanfacine Intuniv and methyldopa. Treating resistant hypertension You may have resistant hypertension if: You take at least three different blood pressure drugs, including a diuretic.

But your blood pressure remains stubbornly high. You're taking four different medicines to control high blood pressure. Your care provider should check for a possible second cause of the high blood pressure.

Treating resistant hypertension may involve many steps, including: Changing blood pressure medicines to find the best combination and dosage. Reviewing all your medicines, including those bought without a prescription.

Checking blood pressure at home to see if medical appointments cause high blood pressure. This is called white coat hypertension. Eating healthy, managing weight and making other recommended lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure during pregnancy If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, discuss with your care providers how to control blood pressure during your pregnancy. Potential future treatments Researchers have been studying the use of heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that may play a role in resistant hypertension.

Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. May 13, Small changes can make a big difference in your blood pressure numbers.

Why does hypertension matter? How lower your blood pressure with small changes You don't have to embark on a major life overhaul to make a difference in your blood pressure.

Lose weight By far the most effective means of reducing elevated blood pressure is to lose weight , says Fisher. Read labels Americans eat far too much dietary sodium, up to three times the recommended total amount, which is 1, milligrams mg daily for individuals with high blood pressure, says Dr.

Beware in particular of what the American Heart Association has dubbed the "salty six," common foods where high amounts of sodium may be lurking: breads and rolls cold cuts and cured meats pizza poultry soup sandwiches.

Get moving It doesn't take much exercise to make a difference in your health. Pump some iron "Add some weightlifting to your exercise regimen to help lose weight and stay fit.

Limit alcohol to one drink per day Drinking too much, too often, can increase your blood pressure, so practice moderation. Relieve stress with daily meditation or deep breathing sessions Stress hormones constrict your blood vessels and can lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure.

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Request Appointment. Products and services. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Feehally J, et al. Nonpharmacologic prevention and treatment of hypertension.

In: Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. Elsevier; Accessed April 20, Hypertension adult. Mayo Clinic; Hall ME, et al. Weight-loss strategies for prevention and treatment of hypertension: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

Shimbo D, et al. Self-measured blood pressure monitoring at home: A joint policy statement from the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.

Department of Health and Human Services and U. Department of Agriculture. Accessed April 23, Libby P, et al. Systemic hypertension: Mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Sleep deprivation and deficiency: Healthy sleep habits.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Managing stress to control high blood pressure. American Heart Association. Products and Services A Book: Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure Blood Pressure Monitors at Mayo Clinic Store The Mayo Clinic Diet Online. See also Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?

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Caffeine and hypertension Calcium channel blockers Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs? Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure? Central-acting agents Choosing blood pressure medicines Chronic daily headaches Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease: Is a clinical trial right for me?

Coarctation of the aorta COVID Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms? Cushing syndrome DASH diet DASH diet: Recommended servings Sample DASH menus Diabetes Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar Diabetes and heat 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?

Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar? Diabetes and liver Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar Diabetes symptoms Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar? Using insulin Diuretics Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?

Diuretics: Cause of gout? Dizziness Do infrared saunas have any health benefits? Drug addiction substance use disorder Eating right for chronic kidney disease High blood pressure and exercise Fibromuscular dysplasia Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?

Home blood pressure monitoring Glomerulonephritis Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?

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Hypertension prevention techniques -

The DASH diet emphasizes:. What are some heart-healthy foods? Processed foods are often high in salt, added sugar, and unhealthy fats.

They may lead to weight gain. All these factors can contribute high blood pressure. Foods labeled low fat may be high in salt and sugar to compensate for the loss of fat. Fat is what gives food taste and makes you feel full. Eating less processed food will help you eat less salt, less sugar, and fewer refined carbohydrates.

All of this can result in lower blood pressure. Smoking can affect your all-around health, including your blood pressure. One study showed that nonsmokers in areas with smoke-free restaurants, bars, and workplaces had lower blood pressure than nonsmokers in areas without smoke-free policies.

Get some tips here for stopping smoking. Finding ways to manage stress is important for your health and your blood pressure. Ways of relieving stress depend on the individual but can include:. Get some tips here for relieving stress.

Cacao contains flavonoids, an antioxidant that may help lower blood pressure. These flavonoids may help dilate, or widen, your blood vessels.

However, the American Heart Association notes that while eating a little dark chocolate is unlikely to be harmful, the amount a person is likely to eat per day will probably not provide enough flavonoids to produce health benefits.

Does dark chocolate have other benefits? Some herbal medicines may help lower blood pressure. However, more research is needed to identify the doses and components in the herbs that are most useful. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking herbal supplements.

They may interfere with your prescription medications. Learn more about herbal remedies for high blood pressure. Sleep deprivation may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Tips for sleeping well include :. Get some tips on sleeping well. Fresh garlic or garlic extract may help lower blood pressure.

One review found that for people with high blood pressure, garlic supplements reduced their systolic blood pressure by up to about 5 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure by up to 2. Can you eat raw garlic? Previous studies had already suggested that consuming protein may lower blood pressure in the short term.

High-protein foods include:. Anyone considering switching to a high protein diet should first speak with a doctor, as it may not be suitable for everyone.

It is also essential to balance different types of protein and to balance protein foods with other items. How much protein do you need per day? However, there is not enough evidence to confirm that most supplements can manage blood pressure.

Always check with a doctor before using a supplement, as not all supplements are safe for everyone. They may worsen other conditions or interact with existing drugs. Learn more about supplements that may lower blood pressure.

A review found that consuming 30 g or more of alcohol appears to increase the heart rate for up to 24 hours.

Blood pressure, meanwhile, tends to fall for the first 12 hours but then increases. A standard drink contains around 14 grams of alcohol. Despite the hype, drinking a lot of red wine is not beneficial for heart health, according to the American Heart Association. They suggest limiting alcohol intake to two standard drinks per day for males and one per day for females.

How does alcohol affect the body? People who usually consume 1—3 cups of coffee per day are unlikely to experience a rise in blood pressure. However, your blood pressure might go up if you consume a lot of coffee or even a small amount when you are not used to it.

In contrast, high-caffeine energy drinks may increase blood pressure and, with that, the risk of cardiovascular problems. Experts discourage the consumption of energy drinks, especially among minors with existing health conditions.

If you find that caffeine is affecting how you feel, you might want to try decaffeinated coffee. Is caffeine good or bad for health? Some research suggests that drinking milliliters ml of water within 2 hours of waking up and another ml 2 hours before bedtime may help reduce blood pressure.

However, more research is needed. How much water do you need each day? Which medications can manage high blood pressure? This will depend on the cause and any existing diagnoses you have. Sitting quietly and doing breathing exercises might help.

A person with an existing diagnosis may need to take their prescribed medication. There is a strong link between salt intake and high blood pressure, and reducing salt in the diet can help lower the risk of hypertension and its complications.

How much salt do you need each day? High blood pressure increases the risk for a number of health conditions. People can often prevent it or manage it at home through exercise, dietary choices, stress management, and other strategies. Read this article in Spanish.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. If left untreated, high blood pressure may lead to heart failure. We show you how to lower your blood pressure using diet, supplements, exercise, and….

You can manage high blood pressure with more than medication. This article takes a look at seven home remedies for high blood pressure, including…. Several herbs may help lower high blood pressure. Learn more about good herbs for hypertension, from basil to hawthorn. Foods that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help lower blood pressure.

Take a look at our list and see which ones you'd like to add…. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. There are a variety of treatments that can help you manage your….

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Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. March 25, When it comes to preventing and treating high blood pressure, one often-overlooked strategy is managing stress.

Get enough sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health. Learn relaxation techniques. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are powerful relaxation techniques and stress-busters.

Strengthen your social network. Connect with others by taking a class, joining an organization, or participating in a support group. Hone your time-management skills. The more efficiently you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress level. Try to resolve stressful situations if you can.

Don't let stressful situations fester. Hold family problem-solving sessions and use negotiation skills at home and at work.

Technjques healthy living Body shape fashion, like being physically active, to techniqus prevent high blood pressure. By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure Hypertension prevention techniques a healthy range. Preventing high blood pressurewhich is also called hypertension, can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Practice the following healthy living habits:. Choose healthy meal and snack options to help you avoid high blood pressure and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.