While you don’t necessarily have to give up meat, increasing the amount of healthy veggies you eat can be very helpful in controlling your blood pressure.

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, examines show that “adults who follow a vegetarian diet have a blood pressure…lower than adults who consume a diet including meat. Changing the way you eat to favor fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes can bring your blood pressure down and reduce need for antihypertensive medications.”

Salt is one of those things that people love to load on. But too much salt can actually be a large taken into account in some people developing high blood pressure. Cutting back and merely employing a little bit can help keep things in check.

TheAmerican Heart Associationrecommends that “Americans consume less than 1,500 mg/ day sodium, which is the level with the greatest consequence on blood pressure.”

It might sound strange, but foods like bananas, avocados, and nuts that are high in potassium can be an important part of a low blood pressure diet.

According to thePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, “Your kidneys use potassium and sodium to balance blood flow in your body. By opting for foods low in sodium and rich in potassium, your blood pressure will naturally fall.”

While the connection between caffeine and high blood pressure has often been debated, experts recommend switching out your cup of coffee for a delicious cup of tea.

According to Prevention Magazine, “Study participants who sipped 3 beakers of hibiscus tea daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 7 points in 6 weeks on average, say researchers from Tufts University.”

It might seem like common sense that workout is good for you, but doing something as simple as going for a walking can help lower your blood pressure.

The American College of Sports Medicine writes, “Exercise not only improves the workings of the cardiovascular system, but can lower blood pressure as well … Research shows that moderate physical activity- such as 30 minutes a day of brisk strolling- significantly contributes to longevity.”

While “youre supposed to” shouldn’t mind sitting down and eat an entire bag of dark chocolates, a moderate sum has been found to have a positive effect on your blood pressure.

According to Prevention Magazine, “Dark chocolate assortments contain flavanols that build blood vessels more elastic. In one study, 18% of patients who feed it every day assured blood pressure reduce. Have 1/2 ounce daily( make sure it contains at least 70% cocoa ). ”

Obviously, there is a long listing of negative health effects that come from smoking. And as you might expect, high blood pressure is one of them. If you are looking to lower you blood pressure, it may merely be time to finally put down thosecigarettes.

WebMD writes, “The nicotine in cigarette smoke is a big part of the problem. It creates your blood pressure and heart rate, constricts your arteries and hardens their walls, and attains your blood more likely to clot.”

While having an occasional beverage or two shouldn’t be a problem, excessive drinking can actually cause a significant rise in your blood pressure.

Dr. Sheldon G. Sheps writes, “Drinking too much alcohol can create blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily increases your blood pressure, but recurred binge drinking can lead to long-term increases.”

There are many ways to de-stress, including meditation, writing, or listening to music. Those with high blood pressure should consider taking on as many low-stress activities as possible.

The Mayo Clinic writes, “Chronic stress is an important contributor to high blood pressure. Occasional stress also can contribute…if you react to stress by eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol, or smoking.”

Weight is not always an issue for everyone. But for some folks who are overweight and suffer from high blood pressure, shedding a few pounds can be key to lowering those numbers.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing merely 10 pounds can help reduce your blood pressure.”