Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest (not actively pumping). It is the lower of the two numbers from a blood pressure reading. Elevated diastolic blood pressure puts a patient at a risk of developing heart disease because it means that the heart has to pump harder to get blood flowing. It can also be a symptom of atherosclerosis, which is caused by cholesterol accumulating in the arteries. Lowering your diastolic blood pressure can be an important preventative health measure.
Step 1
Eat a heart-healthy diet. FamilyDoctor.org explains that patients with high blood pressure should eat a low-fat diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables. Patients should also avoid salt (often referred to as sodium) as well as caffeine and alcohol.
Step 2
Start an exercise program. The National Heart and Lung and Blood Instutite (NHLBI) notes that aerobic exercise helps lower diastolic blood pressure and also helps patients lose weight, which can further reduce diastolic blood pressure. Aerobic exercise also strengthens the heart, making heart disease less likely. The NHLBI recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least four days per week. This can include such activities as walking briskly, riding a bike or dancing.
Step 3
Cease using any tobacco products. The nicotine contained in tobacco causes the blood vessels to constrict, leading to an increase in diastolic blood pressure.
Step 4
Take blood pressure-lowering medications. The Mayo Clinic notes that there are a variety of medications that can lower a patient's blood pressure. Diuretics lower the total amount of water in your body, reducing the volume of your blood. Other medications (such as calcium channel blockers) relax the muscles around your blood vessels, which can lower diastolic pressure. ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers interfere with the actions of a hormone called angiotensin II. Because angiotensin II causes diastolic blood pressure to rise, these medications are effective at lowering blood pressure. Beta-blockers relax the blood vessels and heart. All of these medications can lower diastolic blood pressure, and your doctor can help you pick medications that won't cause intolerable side effects.
