What to do about high blood pressure

Nov 07, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Tian Hongbo

Introduction

Hypertension requires comprehensive management through dietary regulation, regular exercise, weight control, routine monitoring, and medication. Most patients can achieve stable blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications with proper intervention. If blood pressure remains elevated or symptoms such as dizziness and chest pain occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Reduce sodium intake by limiting daily salt consumption to less than 5 grams.

Hypertension requires comprehensive management through dietary regulation, regular exercise, weight control, routine monitoring, and medication. Most patients can achieve stable blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications with proper intervention. If blood pressure continues to rise or symptoms such as dizziness and chest pain occur, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Dietary Regulation: Reduce sodium intake, limit daily salt consumption to less than 5 grams, avoid pickled foods and processed meats, increase intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, limit alcohol consumption, and reduce high-fat and high-sugar foods to help lower blood pressure through diet.

2. Regular Exercise: Perform at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling. Avoid strenuous exercise and gradually increase intensity to promote circulation and help regulate blood pressure levels.

3. Weight Control: Overweight or obese individuals should achieve weight loss through balanced diet and physical activity, maintaining a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 23.9. Reducing body fat accumulation helps decrease cardiac load and supports blood pressure stability.

4. Regular Monitoring: Use a calibrated electronic sphygmomanometer at home to measure and record blood pressure at consistent times each day. Visit the hospital for check-ups every 3–6 months, and adjust treatment plans according to blood pressure trends to ensure target blood pressure control.

5. Medication Therapy: If blood pressure remains uncontrolled after 3 months of lifestyle interventions, antihypertensive medications—such as calcium channel blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors—should be taken under medical supervision. Medications must be taken regularly as prescribed; do not discontinue or change drugs without consulting a doctor.

Maintain a regular daily routine, avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue, minimize mental stress and anxiety, keep emotions stable, establish a habit of regular bowel movements, and avoid straining during defecation, which may cause a sudden spike in blood pressure.

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What are the benefits of saffron for high blood pressure?

Saffron offers benefits for hypertension, including assisting in blood pressure regulation, improving vascular elasticity, alleviating anxiety, promoting blood circulation, and helping regulate blood lipids. However, these effects should only be considered as complementary to standard antihypertensive treatments and cannot replace prescribed medications. If blood pressure fluctuations or any discomfort occur after consuming saffron, medical advice should be sought promptly. The active components in saffron can mildly dilate peripheral blood vessels.

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Can anxiety disorder cause high blood pressure?

In general, whether anxiety disorder leads to elevated blood pressure depends on the specific circumstances. When anxiety attacks are mild and short-lived, they usually do not cause an increase in blood pressure. However, if anxiety attacks are frequent and severe, they may lead to elevated blood pressure and require attention and management. To prevent anxiety disorder from affecting blood pressure, it is important to manage emotions effectively in daily life.

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Can anxiety cause high blood pressure?

Anxiety disorders may lead to elevated blood pressure. During an anxiety episode, the body's stress response is activated, stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and increasing hormone secretion, which in turn causes blood vessel constriction and a faster heart rate, ultimately resulting in a temporary rise in blood pressure. This phenomenon is relatively common among individuals with anxiety disorders. If blood pressure frequently increases or is accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness or dizziness, prompt medical attention is recommended.

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Can high blood pressure cause eye swelling?

High blood pressure itself does not directly cause eye swelling, but poor long-term control or the development of complications may indirectly lead to swelling around the eyes. It is essential to strictly manage blood pressure through a low-salt diet, regular作息 (daily routine), and avoiding staying up late or excessive fatigue. If eye swelling occurs, it is important to investigate potential kidney issues or local eye conditions, while also strengthening blood pressure monitoring and management to reduce the risk of swelling caused by complications.