High blood pressure--also known as "the silent killer"--rarely presents any symptoms to those who suffer from it. When treatment is not sought, it can lead to serious conditions, including heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Once a person is aware of this condition, several treatment options are available, from lifestyle changes to medication. In some cases, it is a combination of both.
Step 1
Examine your diet and make necessary changes. Eating healthier can have a profound impact on blood pressure, both in reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure and lowering it if it's already high. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends the DASH diet, which increases a person's intake of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy, while reducing intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. This diet includes whole grains, poultry and fish, and reduces the consumption of red meats and high-sugar beverages. It also reduces sodium intake, another factor for high blood pressure. Those with this condition should speak to their doctor about this eating plan.
Step 2
Increase physical activity. Increasing exercise, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, is one of the most important steps a person can take to both prevent and control high blood pressure, while reducing the risk of heart disease. The Mayo Clinic agrees, adding that 30 to 60 minutes a day of exercise, most days of the week, can lower blood pressure by four to nine points. Those who lead the most sedentary lifestyles will see results even faster--within just a few weeks. Choosing enjoyable activities helps with motivation, and those just beginning can start with a moderate walking program that lasts 30 minutes a day.
Step 3
Quit smoking. The nicotine in tobacco can increase blood pressure by 10 points or more for up to an hour with every tobacco product a person smokes. Depending on the frequency of the smoking, this can result in elevated blood pressure all day. To quit successfully, combine a smoking cessation aid, whether over-the-counter or a prescription from the doctor, with behavioral therapy. This combination treats both the physical and mental dependency tobacco causes.
Step 4
Drink alcohol in moderation. To a certain degree, alcohol has its health benefits. The Mayo Clinic says that in small amounts, it can actually lower blood pressure two to four points. However, when people drink more than a moderate amount--more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men--these benefits are lost, and the reverse may occur--blood pressure levels can rise. Alcohol can also interfere with the benefits of blood pressure medications for those taking them.
Step 5
Speak to the doctor about medication options. Several medications exist to lower blood pressure, and the medication a doctor prescribes depends on the severity of a patient's condition and whether or not the patient has another medical condition that the medication may affect. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a combination of medications to ensure maximum effect. Some of the most common drugs include diuretics, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. While they all vary slightly in their functioning, the goal is the same--to reduce a person's blood pressure, thus reducing the workload of the heart.
