{"id":4082,"date":"2019-05-16T10:53:04","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T14:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=4082"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:56:38","slug":"ways-to-manage-high-blood-pressure-medication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ways-to-manage-high-blood-pressure-medication\/","title":{"rendered":"How to lower blood pressure quickly and naturally"},"content":{"rendered":"

When someone has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, it means their blood is pumping with too much force against the artery walls. The condition can eventually lead to heart disease, stroke, or other cardiac conditions. High blood pressure is extremely common in the United States. More than <\/span>116 million people<\/span> in the country have it\u2014and many don\u2019t even know theirs is too high, because it can be asymptomatic, says John Osborne, MD, director of cardiology at <\/span>LowT Center<\/span>\/<\/span>HerKare<\/span> and a volunteer for the American Heart Association (AHA).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason many people don\u2019t know? \u201cThere are often few or no symptoms associated with high blood pressure,\u201d says Sondra DePalma, a cardiac physician assistant at <\/span>PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Institute with UPMC<\/span> in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, \u201cwhich is why it is called the \u2018silent killer.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news? There are natural ways to lower blood pressure with the proper diet and healthy lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is good blood pressure?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A good, healthy blood pressure reading for adults\u2014taken while seated, with a blood pressure cuff\u2014should be 120\/80. The first number is the systolic blood pressure (how much pressure is in your arteries during a heartbeat), and the second is the diastolic blood pressure (how much pressure is in your arteries between heartbeats). Anything over that is either considered elevated or high.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: What is systolic vs. diastolic blood pressure?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

What is a dangerous level of blood pressure?<\/b><\/h3>\n

For adults, elevated blood pressure ranges from 121\/80 to 129\/80. High blood pressure starts at 130\/80 or higher\u2014that\u2019s stage one. Stage two, or the worst degree, is 140\/90 and above. If the systolic blood pressure is more than 180, that\u2019s where it starts getting really dangerous, increasing the likelihood of an immediate heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Blood pressure levels<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Blood pressure rating<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nSystolic<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nDiastolic<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Low<\/span><\/td>\nDefined based on symptoms<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nDefined based on symptoms<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Normal<\/span><\/td>\nLess than 120 mmHg\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLess than 80 mmHg<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elevated\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n120\u2013129 mmHg<\/span><\/td>\nLess than 80 mmHg<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High blood pressure stage 1<\/span><\/td>\n130\u2013139 mmHg<\/span><\/td>\n80\u201389 mmHg<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High blood pressure stage 2<\/span><\/td>\n140 mmHg or greater<\/span><\/td>\n90 mmHg or greater<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hypertensive crisis\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nHigher than 180 mmHg<\/span><\/td>\nHigher than 120 mmHg\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute<\/a> and American Heart Association<\/a><\/small><\/i><\/p>\n

If you have a blood pressure reading of 180\/120 or greater, the <\/span>American Heart Association<\/span><\/a> recommends waiting 5 minutes and then taking a second reading. If your blood pressure stays at an elevated level but you\u2019re not experiencing any symptoms, it\u2019s considered hypertensive urgency. In this scenario, you should reach out to your provider for guidance\u2014they may recommend adjustments to your medications, or advise you to go to the hospital for treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, back or chest pain, numbness or weakness, vision changes or difficulty speaking, don\u2019t wait to see if your blood pressure comes down on its own. These symptoms are signs of a hypertensive emergency and can cause organ damage\u2014call 911 immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

15 ways to lower your blood pressure naturally<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s how to lower blood pressure with lifestyle changes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Eat healthy<\/b><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a specific diet designed for heart health called <\/span>the DASH Diet.<\/span><\/a> It stands for \u201cdietary approaches to stop hypertension\u201d and was developed by the National Institutes of Health. Following the DASH Diet (which is essentially a Mediterranean diet with some low-fat dairy added in) can lower blood pressure just as effectively as taking a pill, Dr. Osborne says. It highlights foods that are high in magnesium, potassium, and calcium, while limiting salt and sodium intake. Following the DASH diet for as little as <\/span>2 weeks<\/span><\/a> can lower your blood pressure. Here\u2019s some of what you\u2019ll eat on the diet.<\/span><\/p>\n