What lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure?

To really make a significant ding in your blood pressure, you need to adopt some sturdy pressure-easing habits:

• Ease up on the salt.
• Think thin. If you are overweight or obese, your blood pressure is likely to creep up.
• Keep it friendly. Nurturing friendships can do wonders for your blood pressure.
• Walk it out. A foot-minded lifestyle is great for your heart and your arteries.

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High blood pressure is often called "the silent killer" because it rarely causes symptoms. The only sure way for you to know if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Hypertension can sometimes be lowered by lifestyle changes alone, such as eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and low-fat dairy products; reducing salt intake; exercising regularly; and losing weight. Diets high in potassium may help reduce stroke risk through an association with lower blood pressure.