In some cases it is even possible to prevent high blood pressure completely this way. Keeping to an ideal body weight is one of the most important ways you can help to control your blood pressure. Salt intake A modest reduction in salt intake can reduce your blood pressure and will have other health benefits too. Most of us have far too much salt in our diet and our taste buds soon get used to a drop in salt. In particular try to cut out high salt snack foods and processed foods.
Bread also contains a lot of salt.
Alcohol Drinking 6 units of alcohol or more a day is linked to high blood pressure - and this may be important for as many a 1 in 10 people with hypertension. So avoid excessive alcohol, and spread your allowance evenly across the week. Exercise Regular exercise is essential for keeping blood pressure under control. Other changes which make stroke and heart disease less likely Other lifestyle changes can quite separately help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, so reducing the danger of high blood pressure less even though they don't actually lower blood pressure themselves. Visit our extensive Ask the Doctor library of all previously asked questions and answers covering a wide range of topics.