We get it: life is stressful. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up with the little things. Combine that with genetic factors and lifestyle habits, and it’s no wonder that high blood pressure is such a common problem. According to the American Heart Association, 28% of American adults suffer from undiagnosed high blood pressure.

High blood pressure increases your risk of heart problems and cognitive decline, among other issues. Luckily, it’s easy to treat with a combination of medication and lifestyle change.  Schedule an appointment with one of our concierge doctors to get your blood pressure checked. We’ll help you develop a treatment plan and teach you how to lower blood pressure in a sustainable way.

In the meantime, here are our top tips to help you reduce your stress levels and learn how to lower blood pressure:

Switch to Tea
To see a big impact, consider switching out your venti latte for a cup of herbal tea. Drinking too much caffeine can cause your blood vessels to tighten and raise your blood pressure. We suggest making the switch to tea (or decaf coffee), which is high in antioxidants and has a lower dose of caffeine than your daily cup of joe. In fact, experts at Tufts University found that drinking three cups of hibiscus tea per day helped participants to lower blood pressure an average of seven points in six weeks!

Listen to Music

We all know that there’s nothing quite as cathartic as belting out your favorite tunes in the shower, but did you know that listening to music can actually help you to lower your blood pressure too? Italy’s University of Florence found that listening to classical music for 30 minutes a day helped participants to lower their blood pressure by more than 3 points. Bonus points if you dance along!

Go for a Walk

Many working adults struggle to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. If you’re wondering how to lower blood pressure, increasing your activity levels is even more important. We recommend at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day, and one of the easiest ways to do that is by walking! Try parking your car further away from store entrances to add steps to your day without having to think about it.

Want more tips like these? Check our blog for regular updates and more great advice from our top doctors.