Lifestyle changes for blood pressure
While a proper diet is instrumental in maintaining normal blood pressure, it should be combined with other lifestyle changes. One of the most important is regular aerobic exercise, which lowers blood pressure by conditioning the heart to work mote efficiently. If you smoke, give up the habit. Nicotine raises blood pressure. Quitting can drop blood pressure by 10 points or more.
Use medications with caution. Over-the-counter cold, allergy, and diet pills can raise blood pressure. In some women. birth control pills, or estrogen replacement therapy, can cause high blood pressure.
Reduce stress. Experts continue to debate the role of stress in hypertension. There is no doubt that stress temporarily raises blood pressure, and some experts think that it may have a long-term effect.
