Blood pressure can be divided into systolic and diastolic measurements. The latter is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest. High diastolic blood pressure is also known as diastolic hypertension and can increase your risk of developing heart disease and atherosclerosis. Diastolic blood pressure should normally be below 80 ml of mercury (a unit of pressure), so if your readings are higher than this, you should take steps to improve your diastolic pressure.
Step 1
Lose excess weight. Being overweight can increase your diastolic blood pressure. Losing weight through careful diet and an exercise program can help reduce your diastolic blood pressure.
Step 2
Eat a low-sodium diet. Sodium causes your body to retain extra fluid, which in turn can raise your diastolic blood pressure. Reducing your sodium intake may also help improve your diastolic blood pressure.
Step 3
Take blood pressure-lowering medications. There are eight different kinds of blood-pressure medications. Some of these medications, such as diuretics, lower the blood volume in your body. Other medications, which include calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, alpha blockers, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, work by blocking chemical signals that cause your blood vessels to narrow. Others (such as vasodilators) cause your blood vessels to expand. Finally, central-acting agents work on your brain to cause it to relax your blood vessels.
