Producer:  Priyanka Das Editor: Manuj Yadav

8 Effective Ways to Manage Hypertension

Call it high blood pressure or hypertension, but living with this chronic disease is not easy. Here are some ways to manage high blood pressure naturally.

Reduce salt intake: This is the first recommendation any expert would make, because a low-sodium diet is known to improve symptoms of hypertension.

Get more potassium: According to studies, a daily intake of 3,000-3,500 mg of potassium can reduce your blood pressure levels effectively. However, if you also have kidney problems then consult your doctor about potassium intake.

Lose weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your blood pressure. So, inversely, shedding some kilos can reduce your blood pressure levels. Even reducing four kilos can improve your condition.

Limit alcohol: Drinking too much or too often can spike your blood pressure levels, so keep your alcohol intake to a minimum.

Kick the butt: Cigarette butt, that is. Nicotine addiction can keep your blood pressure elevated for long periods of time, so quit smoking immediately.

Off with the stress: Stress not only increases your blood pressure levels but chronic stress can keep those levels elevated for a prolonged period. Adopt effective means of de-stressing, like yoga, meditation, etc.

Exercise: Walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, playing a sport - these are all forms of exercise that can help improve your blood pressure levels. Try being active for at least 30 minutes to an hour every day.

Follow the DASH diet: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is one of the most effective ways to manage your blood pressure in the long run. It involves eliminating high-fat foods and eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and fish, nuts and seeds.