When looking for fast ways to lower blood pressure, taking medication is the usual answer. It’s true there are medicines that lower blood pressure instantly. But there are other methods you can try.
Reduce Your Weight
The more overweight you are, the more you’re at risk of high blood pressure. Shedding ten pounds will help tremendously. This doesn’t just reduce your blood pressure, but it also helps your medication work more effectively. Look at your waistline too. For American males, the waistline should be below 40 inches. For American women it should be below 35 inches.
For Asian males, the risk will be higher if the waistline is above 36 inches. For Asian women, when it is above 32 inches. In other words, if you want a fast way to lower blood pressure, keep your weight in check.
Stop Smoking and Excessive Drinking
Cigarettes contain nicotine, a chemical that forces the blood vessels to contract. Smoking also leads to lung cancer, yellowing of teeth, bad breath, respiratory problems and other health issues.
Moderate drinking isn’t bad for the heart, but you should restrict it to a 5 ounce glass of wine. However don’t quit suddenly if you’ve been drinking for years. Stopping suddenly might lead to hypertension. Reduce the amount you drink until you totally eliminate it.
Keep Your Emotions in Check
Try to avoid being too emotional. This doesn’t just refer to upsetting situations. Being overly excited or happy can also lead to an increase in blood pressure.
One of the fast ways to lower blood pressure is to keep yourself under control. Try not to get too stressed about life. If you know you have high blood pressure, then all the more you should lessen your propensity for worrying.
A Healthy Diet Is a Must
Add more potassium to your diet. This helps in reducing blood pressure. Good sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables. These are much better than vitamin supplements that claim to have potassium. Look for foods that have potassium when you go to the store.
Limit the amount of sodium in your diet. Maintain a food diary. Look at the sodium contents of the foods you eat. On the average adults need only 1,500 to 2,000 mg of sodium per day. If you’re over 50, reduce this level.
One of the fast ways to lower blood pressure is to limit the amount of salt you consume. Better yet, don’t use any at all. Herbs and spices can be used to add taste to your food. Consume more fresh foods and less of the processed ones.
Use a Blood Pressure Monitor
A blood pressure monitor helps you determine if it’s at the right level or not. High blood pressure usually has symptoms (pain at the lower back of the neck and dizziness). However some people don’t experience any of these symptoms. This device will let you monitor it exactly.
As these things show, there are a lot of fast ways to lower blood pressure. By eating right and exercising discipline, maintaining the right blood pressure will be easier to do.
