Check your blood pressure regularly at home
Rest for 5 minutes before measuring
Sit upright with feet flat on the floor
Keep your arm supported at heart level
Use a properly sized blood pressure cuff
Avoid caffeine, smoking, exercise, and stress before checking
Take your blood pressure at the same time each day
Track your readings in a log
Take prescribed blood pressure medicines exactly as directed
Do not skip or stop medicines without asking your doctor
Reduce salt intake
Avoid processed and packaged foods
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Limit sugary drinks and excess alcohol
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly if your doctor says it is safe
Manage stress with deep breathing, meditation, or relaxation
Get enough sleep
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
Stay hydrated
Limit NSAID pain medicines unless approved by your doctor
Seek urgent medical help for chest pain, severe headache, shortness of breath, weakness, confusion, or vision changes
Seek emergency care if blood pressure is very high and you feel unwell