One of the best ways to ensure your continuing health as you age is lowering high blood pressure readings, but few people understand how to lower blood pressure enough to make a significant difference in their well-being. You should start by understanding how blood pressure works.

Blood pressure is two measurements, not one: diastolic and systolic blood pressures. The first, diastolic, is a measure of how hard your heart is pumping blood out when it contracts; the second is a measure of how well blood is flowing back into your heart when it relaxes. Normal blood pressure should measure 120 diastolic and 80 systolic or below, written 120/80. When it's over this, but below 140/90, you have prehypertension; over this, and you have high blood pressure. You must learn how to lower blood pressure right away if you want your health to improve.

There are some very simple things you can do to lower high blood pressure, but it is all up to you. Start by modifying your daily life, in the following order of importance. Stop smoking right away, and limit the sodium, alcohol, and caffeine you consume daily. Replace fat in the food you eat with fresh fruit and vegetables, especially high-fiber ones like celery or oranges. Start performing some exercises, and lose some weight. If you have a high-stress lifestyle, look for ways to decrease the stress.

Once you've made these changes, you will start controlling high blood pressure problems. But for many people, these changes are not enough. Your doctor has medications you can take that will further lower your blood pressure, but the side effects can be too much to deal with. You need natural ways to lower high blood pressure that are easier on your body and your lifestyle.

The best answer to how to lower blood pressure naturally is by adhering to the DASH diet. This diet consists of:

- Eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, and lowfat dairy

- Eliminating as much saturated fat, cholesterol, and overall fat as possible, in that order of importance

- Replacing many red meats and sweets in your diet with whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts

All these changes incorporate foods that lower blood pressure naturally into your diet. You'll find that instead of wondering how to lower blood pressure by changing your lifestyle, your blood pressure will start dropping by itself. The better you take care of yourself by watching your diet and exercise, the healthier your blood pressure will become.

You may also find that there is a natural high blood pressure remedy that works for you. CoQ-10, garlic, hawthorn, fish oil, and folic acid are all used by natural medicine practitioners when figuring out how to lower blood pressure in their patients; you may find that a daily dose of these will also work well for you. A combination of high blood pressure treatments and sensible changes in your diet and lifestyle may be your ticket to how to lower blood pressure for yourself.

What are the various causes of high blood pressure?

Understanding your normal blood pressure range

Recognizing the signs of high blood pressure

Tips to control blood pressure