Hypertension Treatment: Body

There are a number of body-based treatments that can help prevent and treat hypertension.

Consider the following recommendations:

• Exercise regularly: Lack of exercise is a risk factor for the development of hypertension. Consequently, regular exercise is an excellent way to prevent and treat hypertension. See the exercise article for more information and tips.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is also a risk factor. Losing as little as 10 pounds can help decrease your heart’s workload and lower your blood pressure. Try to keep your body mass index (BMI) below 25. Exercising regularly and following one of the dietary approaches mentioned in the diet section will help with achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Discontinue or avoid smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for hypertension. Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, and forces your heart to work harder. Discuss with your doctor the best way to help you quit smoking. See the smoking cessation article for more information and tips. Also remember that secondhand smoke is detrimental to your health. Make sure you are not exposed to cigarette smoke at all.

The following gentle, alternative treatments have shown promise for helping control blood pressure and increase overall wellbeing:

• Acupuncture
• Hatha yoga, qigong, tai chi, and other relaxing methods

• Hypertension and Acupuncture
• Hypertension and Exercise
• Hypertension and Smoking Cessation
• Hypertension and Yoga

The exact effects of acupuncture on blood pressure are not clear in modern scientific terms. For one thing, acupuncture may help treat hypertension by inducing a state of deep relaxation. Acupuncture...

Read more about Hypertension and Acupuncture.

Regular exercise can help prevent and treat hypertension.

Read more about Hypertension and Exercise.

Quitting smoking may help prevent and treat hypertension.

Read more about Hypertension and Smoking Cessation.

Regular exercise in general can help the body function properly and helping problems like high blood pressure/hypertension. More than merely stretching and burning calories, yoga has breathing and...

Read more about Hypertension and Yoga.