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High blood pressure is pernicious because its harmful effects take a while to surface. If your blood pressure is consistently too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and
other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. This raises your risk of triggering potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as heart disease. HOW TO RESPOND If you experience
a severe increase in your blood pressure, seek immediate medical attention. As the Mayo Clinic explains, treatment for hypertensive crisis may include hospitalisation for treatment with
oral or intravenous medications. Research published in the American Journal of hypertension suggests anti-anxiety treatment is effective in lowering blood pressure in patients with excessive
hypertension. Making healthy lifestyle changes is usually recommended to control your blood pressure in the long term. One of the most important tips is to cut down on the amount of salt in
your food and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. As the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explains, eating too much salt may raise your blood pressure, and having high blood pressure
increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease. According to the BHF, adults should eat less than six grams of salt each day - that’s about one teaspoon. "This includes the
salt that’s contained within ready made foods like bread, as well as the salt you add during cooking and at the table," says the health body. Following a healthy diet also helps you to
maintain a healthy weight, which is integral to managing your blood pressure. "Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your
blood pressure," explains the NHS. You should supplement a healthy diet with regular exercise to lose weight. Regular exercise also brings direct benefits for blood pressure by keeping
your heart and blood vessels in good condition, notes the NHS. "Adults should do at least 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling
or fast walking, every week," it advises.