If you have high blood pressure, you know that it can be a dangerous condition.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure affects more than 100 million adults in the United States.
It is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems.
The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to lower your blood pressure quickly and effectively. Here are 10 tips:
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Take a deep breath. Taking a deep breath can help to lower your blood pressure by calming your nervous system. When you take a deep breath, your diaphragm contracts and your lungs expand. This creates a negative pressure in your chest cavity, which pulls blood into your heart. The increased blood flow helps to lower your blood pressure.
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Hold your breath. Holding your breath for a few seconds can also help to lower your blood pressure. When you hold your breath, your lungs fill with air and your diaphragm contracts. This creates a positive pressure in your chest cavity, which pushes blood out of your heart. The decreased blood flow helps to lower your blood pressure.
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Massage your neck. Massaging your neck can help to lower your blood pressure by relaxing the muscles in your neck. When the muscles in your neck are relaxed, they can’t constrict your blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily.
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Drink a glass of water. Drinking a glass of water can help to lower your blood pressure by increasing your blood volume. When your blood volume increases, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood, which can lower your blood pressure.
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Eat a banana. Bananas are a good source of potassium, which can help to lower your blood pressure. Potassium helps to relax the muscles in your blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily.
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Eat a handful of almonds. Almonds are a good source of magnesium, which can help to lower your blood pressure. Magnesium helps to relax the muscles in your blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily.
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Take a warm bath. Taking a warm bath can help to lower your blood pressure by relaxing your nervous system and your muscles. When your nervous system and muscles are relaxed, your blood vessels can dilate, which allows blood to flow more easily.
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Listen to calming music. Listening to calming music can help to lower your blood pressure by reducing stress. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that can raise your blood pressure. Listening to calming music can help to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.
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Get a massage. Getting a massage can help to lower your blood pressure by relaxing your muscles. When your muscles are relaxed, they can’t constrict your blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily.
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Take a walk. Taking a walk can help to lower your blood pressure by increasing your heart rate and your blood flow. When your heart rate and blood flow increase, your blood vessels dilate, which allows blood to flow more easily.
