10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication
4. Reduce sodium in your diet
5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
7. Cut back on caffeine
8. Reduce your stress
9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and see your doctor regularly
10. Get support
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1. Lose extra weight and watch your waistline
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Reduce salt and sodium in your diet
5. Limit alcohol
6. Quit smoking
7. Get a good night's sleep
8. Ease stress
9. Track your blood pressure at home and get regular checkups
10. Control your cholesterol and blood sugar
1. Lose extra weight and watch your waistline
Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep, a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea further raises blood pressure.
Weight loss is one of the best ways to control blood pressure. If you're overweight or have obesity, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, blood pressure might go down by about 1 mm Hg with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight lost.
Also, the size of the waistline is important. Carrying too much weight around the waist can raise the risk of high blood pressure.
In general:
- Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
- Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimeters).
These numbers vary among ethnic groups. Ask your healthcare professional about a healthy waist size for you.
