Tips for Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Nix prepared and fast foods, which are often loaded with extra sodium. Reducing sodium can lower blood pressure by 2-8 mm Hg. Get off the couch Add at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic activity such as brisk walking most days of the week. Getting physically active can lower blood pressure by 4-9 mm Hg. Limit alcohol Stop at two drinks or less (for men) or one drink or less (for women). A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Reducing alcohol intake can lower blood pressure by 2-4 mm Hg.

*mm Hg is the abbreviation for millimeters of mercury—the standard of measure for blood pressure.