High blood pressure places you at a higher risk of stroke, heart disease and other health conditions. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes before resort to drugs, as lifestyle changes are shown to be highly effective in lowering blood pressure.

There are two number used with blood pressure, the top number is systolic and the bottom number diastolic. Use this blood pressure chart [http://thehealth411.com/blood_pressure_chart/] to determine whether your blood pressure is normal or high;

120 or below over 80 or below: Normal blood pressure
120-129 over 80-89: Prehypertensive
140-159 over 90-99: Stage 1 hypertensive
160 or above over 100 or above: Stage 2 hypertensive

Here are 10 tips for lowering your blood pressure while also increasing your health and well being;

Exercise: Aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, riding bike, etc..) helps the heart use oxygen more efficiently and is one of the quickest ways to get your blood pressure in check. Get a vigorous cardio workout five to six times each week, with a duration of at least 30 minutes.

Meditate: Slow deep breathing decrease stress hormones, which raise blood pressure.
For at least five twice daily, inhale deeply and expand your belly. Hold for a second then exhale. Imagine releasing all of your tension as you exhale. Meditative practices such as tai chi, qigong and yoga are also effective at lowering stress hormones so if you would rather take a more active approach to stress relief, try these exercises.

Take CoQ10: Researchers, in reviewing 12 studies, found that coenzyme Q10 (60 to 100 mg up to three times daily) could reduce blood pressure. CoQ10 is an antioxidant that dilates blood vessels, and is required in energy production.

Cut the caffeine: Caffeine tightens blood vessels and can magnifying the effects of stress. Neither of these conditions is good for your blood pressure. While doctors and scientists have bantered the caffeine argument around for quite some time, recent studies do show that caffeine does indeed increase blood pressure.

Give up the Nicotine: Tobacco products, along with secondhand smoke, raise blood pressure for up to 60 minutes after using the product or being around secondhand smoke. If you are using or around smoke throughout the day, chances are your blood pressure is elevated throughout the day.

Lose Weight: Blood pressure increases as the weight increases. Conversely, blood pressure drops as the weight goes down. Losing as little as 10 pounds will drop your blood pressure.

All of the blood pressure lowering tactics will also go a long way in increasing your health and well being. In fact, most health plans [http://thehealth411.com] incorporate many, if not all, of these health hints.