
- Sodium (salt) sensitivity: Some people have high sensitivity to sodium (salt), and their blood pressure goes up if they use salt. Reducing sodium intake tends to lower their blood pressure. Americans consume 10-15 times more sodium than they need. Fast foods and processed foods contain particularly high amounts of sodium.

- Many over-the-counter medicines, such as painkillers, also contain large amounts of sodium. Read labels to find out how much sodium is contained in food items. Avoid those with high sodium levels.

- Alcohol use: Drinking alcohol tends to raise blood pressure.

-
-
- Drugs:Certain drugs, such as amphetamines (stimulants), diet pills, and some pills used for cold and allergy symptoms, tend to raise blood pressure.

Birth control pills (oral contraceptive use): Some women who take birth control pills develop high blood pressure.
Lack of exercise (physical inactivity): A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of obesity and high blood pressure. 
As body weight increases, the blood pressure rises!!!

- Obese people are two to six times more likely to develop
- high blood pressure than people whose weight is within a healthy range.

- Not only the degree of obesity is important, but also the manner in which the body accumulates extra fat. Some people gain weight around their belly (central obesity or "apple-shaped" people), while others store fat around their hips and thighs ("pear-shaped" people). "Apple-shaped" people tend to have greater health risks than "pear-shaped" people.
-
- Smoking: People who smoke are more also likely to
develop hypertension and heart disease.
- About 30% of all deaths from heart disease in the U.S. are directly related to cigarette smoking. That's because smoking is a major cause of coronary artery disease especially in younger people!
Stress: Reducing stress can help lower high blood pressure. Stress is a normal part of life. But too much stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems -- including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats.
Let us look at foods to lower high blood pressure:
Foods to lower high blood pressure would include edible items those are
high in calcium, omega -3 fatty acids, ascorbic acid, potassium, magnesium, etc.
Calcium is found to have a great blood pressure-reducing effect. Foods those are high in calcium include dairy product such as milk, fresh cheese, yogurt, broccoli and cabbage, dry beans, fish like salmon, soybeans and tofu etc.
Potassium can help bringing down the high blood pressure level. Clinical trials have indicated that when you consume foods high in potassium helps lower blood pressure. Vegetables rich in potassium include tomatoes, potato, cantaloupe, banana, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, avocado, and orange.

Magnesium is proven to have dilating effects on the blood vessels and hence allows the blood to move easier. Foods rich in magnesium include avocado, spinach, almond, sunflower seeds, and barley.
Ascorbic acid is also one of the foods to lower high blood pressure. It expands blood vessels and narrowed arteries, accordingly helps to lower blood pressure. Red cabbage, red bell pepper, citrus fruit (such as mandarin, orange, etc), kiwi, strawberry and potato all are rich in vitamin C.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, particularly in trout, salmon and tuna fish and trout are now discovered to help the blood circulation. The presence of these substances prevents the blood to clump and form clots that might bring heart attacks. Flaxseed oils are also believed to be inhibiting the inflammation that forms artery plaques and poor circulation, therefore helps against high blood pressure.

Foods to lower high blood pressure also include
garlic since it is proved by several clinical studies!!!

When should I check my blood pressure?
Follow your doctor's instructions for when
and how often to check your blood pressure.

Keep in mind that certain factors can cause blood pressure to temporarily rise. Blood pressure normally rises as a result of:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Cold temperatures
- Exercise
- A full stomach
- Full bladder
- Caffeine
- Certain medicines
Avoid any of these factors you can when taking your blood pressure. Also try measuring your blood pressure at about the same time each day.

Before taking your blood pressure:
- Find a quiet place. You will need to listen for your heartbeat.
- Roll up the sleeve on your left arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing, if needed. (It's best to take your blood pressure from your left arm, if possible.)
- Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. (Your left arm should rest comfortably at heart level.)
- Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed.
- Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up.