High blood pressure is a blood pressure that is 140/90 mmHg or above each time it is taken. That is, the blood pressure is ‘sustained’ at 140/90 mmHg or above. High blood pressure can be: just a high systolic pressure, for example, 170/70 mmHg.

Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.

Here are 10 lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline.
2. Exercise regularly.
3. Eat a healthy diet.
4. Reduce sodium in your diet.
5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
6. Quit smoking.
7. Cut back on caffeine.
8. Reduce your stress.

Here are some simple recommendations:

1. Exercise most days of the week. Exercise is the most effective way to lower your blood pressure.
2. Consume a low-sodium diet. Too much sodium (or salt) causes blood pressure to rise.
3. Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 to 2 drinks per day.
4. Make stress reduction a priority.

The Antioxidants in It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure Blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart disease, and honey may help lower it. This is because it contains antioxidant compounds that have been linked to lower blood pressure ( 14 ).

Drinking beet juice can reduce blood pressure in the short and long terms. In 2015, researchers reported that drinking red beet juice led to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension who drank 250 milliliters, about 1 cup, of the juice every day for 4 weeks.

Analysis of clinical research shows that green tea can reduce systolic blood pressure (the top number) by up to 3.2 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by up to 3.4 mmHg in people with or without high blood pressure.

But long-term tea intake did have a significant impact. After 12 weeks of drinking tea, blood pressure was lower by 2.6 mmHg systolic and 2.2 mmHg diastolic. Green tea had the most significant results, while black tea performed the next best.

Those who drank at least a half-cup of moderate strength green or oolong tea per day for a year had a 46% lower risk of developing hypertension than those who didn’t drink tea.

Eating with High Blood Pressure: Food and Drinks to Avoid

• Salt.
• Deli meat.
• Frozen pizza.
• Pickles.
• Canned soups.
• Tomato products.
• Sugar.
• Packaged foods.

Here are 15 natural ways to combat high blood pressure.

1. Walk and exercise regularly. Share on Pinterest Regular exercise can help lower your blood pressure.
2. Reduce your sodium intake.
3. Drink less alcohol.
4. Eat more potassium-rich foods.
5. Cut back on caffeine.
6. Learn to manage stress.
7. Eat dark chocolate or cocoa.
8. Lose weight.

Keeping well hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water daily (even more if working in hot and humid conditions) is beneficial for the blood pressure. Keeping well hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water daily (even more if working in hot and humid conditions) is beneficial for the blood pressure.

The National Academy of Sciences recommends drinking when thirsty rather than consuming a specific number of glasses daily. It is unlikely that drinking water raises blood pressure. A healthy body regulates fluids and electrolytes quickly.

Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides and reduce cholesterol levels — all of which may lower heart disease risk. Their potent anti-inflammatory properties may also help reduce high blood pressure and protect against blood clots.

Key Takeaways. People with hypertension who drank two glasses of orange juice a day had lower blood pressure after 12 weeks. Researchers think hesperidin, a flavonoid found in orange juice, contributes to improved blood pressure. Orange juice may offer other benefits for heart health as well.

It lowers your blood pressure. Cucumbers are a good source of potassium. Drinking cucumber water helps your body get more potassium, potentially helping to lower your blood pressure.