Hypertension, or high blood pressure, may present no symptoms or immediate dangers to your health, but it can become a fatal risk for your cardiovascular health – eventually resulting in heart disease or stroke. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is time to change your lifestyle and commit yourself to a healthy future. Your doctor might recommend medication to lower your blood pressure, and these natural methods could replace or supplement that approach.

• Exercise regularly. Don’t create a complicated plan that you’re unlikely to follow through with. Start small and gradually work yourself up to your grander fitness goals. Initially aim for 30 minutes of activity three times a week.
• A banana a day keeps the doctor away. Prevention Magazine recommends that you try to up your potassium intake to lower blood pressure. Aside from bananas, good sources of the nutrient include sweet potatoes, oranges, kidney beans, dried fruits, and tomatoes.
• Cut back on caffeine. The first few mornings without your coffee habit may be rough, but your body will adjust and your blood pressure will start to decrease.
• Switch up your diet. Start substituting chicken for beef, skim milk for whole, and steamed vegetables for deep-fried side dishes. A healthy diet low in cholesterol is the foundation for healthy blood pressure.
• Find out if you snore. If you do, see a doctor to discover if you suffer from sleep apnea. Approximately 50 percent of people with untreated sleep apnea also have high blood pressure.
• Relax. Easier said than done? Try yoga, meditation, journaling, or regular talks with a trusted friend. Locate what areas of your life give you the most stress, and brainstorm changes you can make to ease the pressure.

To find out your blood pressure numbers, contact Plantation General Hospital. Our free Consult-A-Nurse® service can give you a physician referral or answer any questions you might have. Just call 1-866-442-2362.

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