Beat hypertension—Lower your blood pressure with simple lifestyle changes to protect yourself from this hidden health problem. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:

+Sidestep salt
+Avoid using too much table salt, limit salty fast foods, and read labels to find low-sodium foods in your grocery store
+Watch what you eat
+Choose a diet low in cholesterol and animal fat, and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and low-fat milk products, with some nuts and seeds
+Maintain a healthy weight
+Lose excess weight and keep it off with a long-term program of exercise and healthier eating
+Try CoQ10
+Taking 100 mg a day of this powerful antioxidant may have a significant impact on your blood pressure after one to several months
+Boost heart health with supplemental garlic
600 to 900 mg a day of a standardized garlic extract can improve heart and blood vessel health, and also has a mild blood pressure–lowering effect
+Take minerals
+Supplements of calcium (800 to 1,500 mg a day) and magnesium (350 to 500 mg a day) may be helpful

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist