10 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Are you having problems keeping your blood pressure within "normal" range? Are you even keeping tabs on your blood pressure?

Nearly one in three Americans has high blood pressure, and a third of them don't know it. But there are ways that you can get and keep control of your blood pressure—and cut your risk of strokes, heart attacks, and heart and kidney failure.

According to the American Heart Association, your blood pressure is "normal" if your reading is 120/80 or below. However, anything up to 139/89 is regarded by doctors as "pre-hypertension" and requires close monitoring. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.

Here are 10 tips from doctors at Harvard Medical School for getting your blood pressure under control and keeping it there:

Check it. You can't do much about your blood pressure unless you know what it is. Your doctor should check it at every visit. Measuring at home between visits is even better.
Get moving. Exercise can lower blood pressure by 10 points, prevent the onset of high blood pressure, or let you reduce your dosage of blood pressure medications.
Eat right. A diet for better blood pressure emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts.
Control your weight. If you are overweight, losing weight can lower your blood pressure.
Don't smoke. Smoking a cigarette can cause a 20-point spike in systolic blood pressure.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Going beyond a drink a day can contribute to higher blood pressure.
Shake up your salts. Too much sodium and too little potassium can boost blood pressure. Aim for less than 1.5 grams of sodium a day, and at least 4.7 grams of potassium from fruits and vegetables.
Get good sleep. Chronic lack of sleep can contribute to high blood pressure. Get at least six hours a night.
Reduce stress. Mental and emotional stress can raise blood pressure. Meditation and deep breathing can lower it.
Stick with your medications. Taking medication can keep you from having a stroke or heart attack.