High blood pressure, known medically as hypertension, is a condition that can develop over the course of several years. According to Mayo Clinic, the more blood a heart pumps combined with a narrowing of the arteries leads to high blood pressure. Drugs are not always necessary to treat the condition, and high blood pressure can be treated through several lifestyle changes.

Causes and Symptoms

High blood pressure can develop for a variety of reasons. According to the National Institute of Health, the possible causes are varied, and can include obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive cigarette smoking, medications such as corticosteroids, a wide variety of medical conditions such as diabetes, Cushing syndrome and arteriosclerosis, stress and anxiety. High blood pressure does not typically present with any physical symptoms and if symptoms do appear, the blood pressure is already at a level that can be deemed exceedingly dangerous. Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to ensure your blood pressure is not too high.

Treatment

Although drugs are typically prescribed for those diagnosed with hypertension, there are several ways to help lower blood pressure that do not involve the use of expensive medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, the DASH diet, which focuses on eating foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is recommended, as is increasing the amount of exercise you normally get. According to the National Institute of Health, you should try and get approximately 30 minutes of physical activity per day. A major contributor to high blood pressure is the amount of salt in your diet, so you should cut the amount of sodium in your diet as well. If you smoke or consume alcohol frequently, you should quit immediately. Finally, finding ways to reduce stress can help considerably. This can involve meditation, exercise and deep breathing techniques. If you have high blood pressure, you will most likely be prescribed drugs to lower it, but these steps should be carried out regardless of your current state of health. Diet, exercise and stress reduction are especially helpful when you're considered pre-hypertensive, which is when your blood pressure is between the ranges of 120-139 over 80-89. Discuss the best possible treatment options with your doctor.

Source:

MayoClinic: High Blood Pressure

Medline Plus: Hypertension