How to Reduce Blood Pressure Without Medications?

Q: What would be the alternative medicine or diets if you have a BP of 130/100? Thanks.
-By Celine
Many medicines called antihypertensives are available in the market. Making a choice so as to which medicine is to be taken is tricky. The doctor has to see several aspects before he decides this.

This is because each group of antihypertensives acts to lower B.P. in a particular way. For example, diuretics excrete out excess salt and water from the body, thereby lowering the elevated blood pressure. So they need a well functioning kidney to act. Beta-blockers act on the heart to lower the high blood pressure. So heart assessment is required before prescribing them.

So when prescribing a drug for B.P., a doctor takes complete history of the patient with assessment of kidney functions, heart functions, overall health, weight, built, gender, blood levels of fatty acids and cholesterol, liver function status and so on. Without a complete picture of the illness, it is not possible to prescribe any medication.

For an understanding of the types of antihypertensive medications, read here.

However, non- pharmacological methods can surely be adopted by anyone who has high B.P. They are very effective in a long run. If sincerely followed, one can completely get rid of the need for any B.P. medication.

Non-pharmacological Ways to Lower B.P. 

They are as follows:
  • Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Smoking is a proven factor in increasing B.P. Chemicals released in the blood of smokers hardens the walls of the blood vessels (arteries) making them stiff and less elastic. It also causes inflammation of the walls of the arteries, promoting plaque formation there. This process is medically called atherosclerosis. As you can understand, when vessels supplying blood get narrowed the pressure will increase.
  • Limit your salt intake. Blood pressure diet is low in sodium. Avoid sprinkling extra salt over salads or fruits.
  • Eat more of whole foods. These would include whole grains (grains with covers over them), example- whole wheat flour, brown rice, oats, etc. Include as much possible roughage in your diet. Roughage is the coarse part of fruits and vegetables. Eat raw fruits and vegetables to include it. This is essential for a proper functioning of our gastrointestinal tract and lowers blood pressure.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight. Shed off extra weight if any.
  • Alcohol increases blood pressure in more than one ways. Limit drinking to reduce B.P.
  • Physical exercises are a proven method to decrease B.P. Only moderate exercises for about 30 minutes would be enough. You may exercise in a gym or include exercises in your lifestyle itself.
Take Care,
Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “How to Reduce Blood Pressure Without Medications?

  1. Lowerbp

    Good Day! Buddy MD,
    Maybe a little off topic.

    What are the foods that reduce blood pressure? In fact, is it really possible for food to do that? Don’t you have to also take medicines too?

    Keep up the good work.

    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It’s more like what not to take to control BP. Avoidance of salt laden packaged and junk food itself can go a long way in dealing with hypertension. Commercial beverages also contain lot of salt. Fatty food also needs to be avoided. Alcohol is still worse in this regard.

      It’s a good idea to take a lot of fiber rich fresh fruits, vegetables and grains.

  2. John

    Dear Sir, now my age is 42. Since May-2010 I have taken losacar-25 (twice a day) for high Blood pressure and Glycibace 500 for diabetics. First time when it was find out my BP was 150 / 110. And my fasting blood sugar was 160 and PPS 260 (HBA1C 9.1). So continually I have taken that tablet. But I feel very tired. Now I have controlled my blood sugar by reduce my HBA1C 5.2 by diet and exercise together with some herbal. So I have not taken diabetic medicine as per doctor advice. Now I have taken some herbal for BP also. Since 1 month my blood pressure is controlled (maximum 125/83 and most of the time normal) without BP medicine. My question is, is herbal controlled the BP? Is it safe? Will my BP suddenly increase and lead to heart attack? How frequently I want to check my BP? Is any extra test required for checking heart?

    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      The aim of treatment is to keep your B.P. and your sugar levels in check. In doesn’t matter what medicine you are taking, pills or herbals. If herbals are working for you, it’s fine.

      All you need to do is to keep checking your blood pressure on a regular basis. Ideally, b.p. needs to be checked daily in the evening. Make a b.p. chart, writing down values for each day.

      Similarly, blood sugar monitoring is also required. HBA1c is measured every 3 months.

      You may also get a lipid profile done.


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