Use AARP’s visual guide to learn how to perform top breathing techniques to lower blood pressure. Other natural blood pressure remedies, from increasing your daily steps to taking up tai

chi, stretching routines and mindfulness, are also helpful stress and blood pressure reducers. Learn more about controlling blood pressure with natural remedies.  7. TRY TART CHERRY JUICE

FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE  Tart cherry juice is growing in popularity for older adults who are concerned about their blood pressure, or who experience side effects from blood pressure

medications. While the tasty treat may not be right for everyone and shouldn’t be considered a replacement for blood pressure medication, it could be a tool in your arsenal against high

raises your risk for high blood pressure, and more recent research has found that even light to moderate drinking can carry risks.   Read more about how alcohol can harm your blood pressure.

9. QUIT SMOKING Smoking isn’t a primary risk factor for high blood pressure, but the habit can damage blood vessels. Additionally, the addictive chemical compound nicotine can increase

blood pressure. Read more about smoking and high blood pressure.  10. GET ENOUGH SLEEP Many Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, contributing to numerous adverse health conditions,

including high blood pressure. Sleep apnea is particularly hard on our vascular system and blood pressure. Here are 43 steps to fine-tune your sleep routine and reduce your risk of

hypertension. ​MEDICATIONS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE While lifestyle changes can be beneficial for hypertension control and your overall health, they may not be enough to get your blood

pressure down to the ideal target level, especially if you are over 65 or already have Stage 2 hypertension or above, which is defined as a confirmed systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher

or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg.   “There are good lifestyle interventions to lower blood pressure; it is hard to change lifestyle though, and it's been known for a long time that

medications trump lifestyle,” Green said. “When you have people on a very, very good program, medications will reduce deaths by more than a very good lifestyle program.”   Beverly Green,

M.D., Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute Courtesy of Beverly Green Generally, medications are indicated as the first line of defense against hypertension if your blood

pressure is 130/80 and your risk for cardiovascular disease is medium to high, Green said. It's only for those people at low risk for cardiovascular disease that lifestyle changes alone

are recommended as the first line of treatment.   Sometimes lifestyle isn’t even the main cause of high blood pressure. Genetics can play a big role. Green herself discovered she had high

blood pressure after doing 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, which involves measuring blood pressure on a continuous basis as you live your daily life, even during sleep.   “I

don’t eat any meat and I’m a normal weight. I run, and I love fruits and vegetables, so I consider myself to not have an unhealthy lifestyle. I still had hypertension,” Green said. Knowing

that high blood pressure is one of the top causes of death and heart failure, she chose to go on blood pressure medication, which has helped to get her numbers under control.  Primary

medications that your doctor may prescribe for hypertension include: * ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS (ACEI) — These medications inhibit your body from making the hormone

angiotensin II so that your blood vessels can relax and dilate, therefore reducing blood pressure. * ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS (ARBS) — These also keep the angiotensin II hormone from

narrowing blood vessels.  * CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS (CCBS) — These prevent calcium from entering muscle cells in the walls of your arteries, which helps them to relax and dilate. *

DIURETICS — Often called water pills, they help your kidneys flush out water and salt from your body. These drugs can be used in combination with one another, and your doctor may adjust the

type and dosage you take, particularly if you experience side effects. Side effects can sometimes cause patients to stop taking their medication, putting their hypertension at risk of

becoming much worse. Common complaints include feeling lightheaded or fatigued when taking blood pressure medications. In addition, each type of medication has its own set of side effects;

thus, it’s important to discuss any potential ones with your doctor. Sometimes two low doses of different medications are much more powerful than a single medication, and the lower dosages

can diminish side effects, Green said. Discover the different options for hypertension treatment, including secondary agents such as beta blockers, and how you can deal with the side effects

of blood pressure medications. THE BEST TIME TO TAKE BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION Knowing when your blood pressure is at its highest can help you and your doctor pinpoint the best time to take

your medication. This is important, as you will see the strongest effect from the medicine soon after you take it. Peak effect is usually achieved within a few hours of swallowing your

pill, according to the Cleveland Clinic.  Read more on when to take your blood pressure medication. TREATING RESISTANT HYPERTENSION Resistant hypertension occurs when blood pressure stays

over 140/90 even when the patient is taking three or more prescription hypertension medications. You could receive this diagnosis if your high blood pressure is still present after six

months of treatment.   Your medical provider may want to explore a more effective treatment plan in this scenario, including changing the combinations of your medications and asking you to

do regular home blood pressure monitoring to determine if your hypertension is consistent outside of the doctor’s office. According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers are exploring renal

denervation to treat resistant hypertension. This involves using heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that could play a role in the condition, and studies have shown mixed results

so far. Further research is underway.