Research shows that DASH can reduce BP in as little as four weeks and even help you lose weight. Stress hormones constrict blood vessels and can lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure. In addition, stress can lead to unhealthy habits, such as overeating or sleeping poorly, which can also increase blood pressure.

For all these reasons, reducing stress should be a priority if you want to lower your blood pressure. Exercise strengthens your heart, improves circulation, and can even reduce stress. Try to fit in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio most days of the week, which can lower your blood pressure by 4-9 millimeters of mercury.

For heart health, just losing weight and exercising seems to be key. By far the most effective way to lower elevated blood pressure is hoge bloeddruk verlagen to lose weight, Fisher says. According to the CDC, diabetes can also increase your risk and hypertension can occur during pregnancy.

Isolated systolic hypertension, the most common form of high blood pressure in older adults, is treated in the same way as regular high blood pressure, but may require more than one type of blood pressure medication. You can try different types or combinations of medications before you find a plan that suits you best. Medications can control your blood pressure, but they can’t cure it. If your doctor starts taking medicines for high blood pressure, you may need to take them for a long time. For older adults, the first number is often 130 or more, but the second number is less than 80.

Seventy-five percent of your sodium intake comes from eating out and packaged foods. A small effort can lower blood pressure by up to two to eight points. A review of several studies reports that weight loss diets reduced blood pressure by an average of 3.2 mm Hg diastolic and 4.5 mm Hg systolic. In a 2013 study, sedentary older adults who participated in aerobic exercise training reduced their blood pressure by an average of 3.9 percent systolic and 4.5 percent diastolic.