Blood pressure is used to describe readings measured in millimeters of mercury when taken with a blood pressure machine. Normal blood pressure should be 120 over 80. If a person has blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg, it is considered to be “high blood pressure”. The medical industry refers to high blood pressure as “hypertension”. If an individual has hypertension, he or she will be advised to take steps to lower it – often starting with medication. There are methods of lowering blood pressure that don’t require the use of drugs, however, and it is always worth looking at natural methods of improved health before resorting to drugs.

Lowering Blood Pressure Without Drugs

It was estimated that the cost of blood pressure treatment would be an expensive medical need in previous years. In 2009, $73.4 billion was spent helping individuals lower blood pressure – which paints a picture of just how many people actually have hypertension. In addition to the staggering costs associated with high blood pressure patients, it has been reported that many individuals with high blood pressure are young people, rather than the assumed older population. Being put on pills to lower blood pressure is always an option, but before popping the pills, try to lower your blood pressure with more natural methods.

Diet

Better health always starts with eating healthier. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and meats without fat is good advice if you desire to lower your blood pressure. Also, lower blood pressure requires you monitor the amount of sodium in your diet as too much sodium leads to hypertension.

Increasing potassium consumption has been shown to lower blood pressure in a study from St. George’s Medical School in London, published in April 2005. When they compared the ability of potassium chloride to lower blood pressure against the effects of potassium citrate, it was shown that potassium citrate has the same ability to lower blood pressure as potassium chloride. Potassium chloride is delivered in supplement (medical) form, while potassium citrate is found naturally in many foods – including bananas.

A study that was reported at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA) indicates that the artificial sweetener, oligofructose (OFS) has the potential for use in the lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The study showed participants who used the artificial sweetener for two weeks had an average drop of 6.9 points for systolic blood pressure and 7.3 points diastolic readings.

Exercise

Everyone has heard that saying” no gain without pain”. By keeping your body in shape through regular exercise, your heart becomes healthier and stronger and improves it’s ability to pump blood through your body. Exercise has been shown in most individuals to help lower blood pressure.

Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Both smoking and alcohol contribute to higher blood pressure. If you’re looking to lower blood pressure without the use of drugs, you will need to stop smoking and decrease your alcohol intake.