Blood pressure is the rate at which your blood pumps through the walls of your arteries. An ideal blood pressure would be 120/80, and any reading over 140/90 is considered high. The unfortunate thing about high blood pressure is that it rarely comes with any symptoms. That is why it has been coined "the silent killer." When your blood pressure is high, your arteries can become damaged, and your risk for a heart attack or stroke can go up. To lower your blood pressure quickly, several steps can be taken.
Step 1
Take a diuretic. Diuretics are medications that help flush your body of excess water and sodium. When you take these, your blood volume is reduced, and your blood pressure then goes down. Diuretics are a prescription formula, and examples of these include amiloride, furosemide, spironolactone and chlorthalidone.
Step 2
Use a blocker. Beta blockers are medications that cause your heart to beat at a slower pace. Calcium channel blockers slow down your heart rate by relaxing muscles responsible for producing heart beats. Alpha blockers block the release of a hormone called "norepinephrine." This keeps the blood vessels open by relaxing the muscles. These are all prescriptions that you can get from your doctor.
Step 3
Cut back on salt. Sodium is an electrolyte mineral that helps aid nerve impulses and muscle contractions. But having too much sodium can lead to water retention and exacerbate high blood pressure. To help lower your blood pressure, avoid using salt and cut back on foods that are high in sodium such as frozen dinners, soups, condiments and ready-to-go meals.
Step 4
Cut back on calories. Being overweight is a risk factor for a number of conditions, including high blood pressure. If you are above your recommended weight, reduce your caloric intake. To lose a pound a week, cut your daily total back by 500 calories.
Step 5
Give up smoking, which is already known for the damage it can do to your lungs. But it can harden arteries and damage blood vessels. The end result is high blood pressure. If you currently smoke, give it up. If you do not smoke, don't start. Try to avoid secondhand smoke as well.
Step 6
Follow a clean diet. Other than watching your sodium, adjustments can be made to that can be beneficial. Cut out high fat foods and stick with fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains and foods that are high in potassium, which helps flush sodium from your body.
