How Do I Lower My Blood Pressure?

As I wrote in my last blog post, the AHA/ACC earlier this week released new guidelines for the management of hypertension (HTN or blood pressure). The biggest change to these guidelines is the new definition of high blood pressure...

• Now anyone with a blood pressure > 130/80 is classified as having Stage 1 HTN
• Anyone with a blood pressure > 140/90 is classified as having Stage 2 HTN

The treatment recommendations have also been changed...

• Stage 1 HTN with increased cardiac risk should be treated medically to BP < 130/80 + adopt aggressive life style modifications known to lower BP
• Stage 1 HTN with no increased cardiac risk should adopt aggressive life style modifications known to lower BP
• Stage 2 HTN should be treated medically + adopt aggressive life style modifications known to lower BP

So, what are some of the known life sytle modifications we can adopt that are known to lower BP

• Eat a low salt diet or specifically follow the DASH Diet 
• Lose weight 
• Exercise (30-45min at least 3-5x week)
• Decrease alcohol intake (no more than 2 glasses/day for men and 1 glass/day for women)
• Avoid supplements known to raise BP (ephedra, St John's wort)
• Avoid medications known to raise BP (amphetamines, decongestants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Advil and Celebrex), and prednisone

As with any of my recommendations, I suggest you discuss you BP/diet/medications with your physician