If youve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, these diet and lifestyle changes may bring down your numbers.
But medication isnt the only way to bring down your numbers.
These habits can complement the medicine youre on, or even eliminate your need for them.

Heres what they told us.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg, for short.
A healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
Your blood pressure is too high when you have a reading of 130/80 or higher.
How do these diets work?
Watch your sodium
Sodiumis one nutrient thaton its owncan hike up blood pressure.
So think about cutting back there.
Get regular physical activity
Exercise can increase blood flow and strengthen your heartboth things that can reduce blood pressure.
But really, the point here is to do whatever punch in of activity you enjoy.
Its all good, says Sanchez.
Aim for a healthier weight
Even a little weight loss can be beneficial.
You dont have to get to a completely healthy weight, says Sanchez.
Yes, some people will require medication.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High Blood Pressure Facts.
Ojangba, Theodora, et al.
2023;25(6):509-520. doi:10.1111/jch.14653
Magriplis E, Panagiotakos D, Kyrou I, et al.
2020;12(3):853. doi:10.3390/nu12030853
Gupta DK, Lewis CE, Varady KA, et al.
Effect of dietary sodium on blood pressure: A crossover trial.JAMA.
In:StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2024
Edwards JJ, Deenmamode AHP, Griffiths M, et al.
2023;57(20):1317-1326. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-106503
Yang S, Zhou Z, Miao H, Zhang Y.
2023;25(5):404-415. doi:10.1111/jch.14661
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of Quitting Smoking.