Most of the changes will reduce the risk of your having a heart attack or a stroke. It is important that these changes be made in consultation with your health care provider so that medications can be appropriately adjusted and that the changes can be individualized to suit you. Overweight Being overweight is one of the most frequent causes of having high blood pressure and reducing weight is one of the best methods of reducing blood pressure without drug therapy. Weight loss should only be attempted by those who are overweight. To notice a reduction in blood pressure it is necessary to lose approximately 4.5 kg.
Some people are more sensitive to weight loss than others.
It is important to maintain a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fats is generally recommended. Reducing weight is difficult for many persons to accomplish. A change in dietary habits to healthier foods and a slow reduction in weight through an increase in physical activity and a modest reduction in caloric intake is likely to be more successful than a rapid and radical change which would be difficult to maintain over the long run. Alcohol Excessive intake of alcohol both increases blood pressure and causes hypertension.