What can you take to raise your blood pressure

High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking.

Healthy diet

Cut down on the amount of salt in your food and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. 

The Eatwell Guide highlights the different types of food that make up our diet, and shows the proportions we should eat them in to have a well-balanced and healthy diet.

Salt raises your blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. Aim to eat less than 6g (0.2oz) of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful.

Find out how to cut down on salt

Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure.

Aim to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

Find out how to get your 5 A Day

Limit your alcohol intake

Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure over time.

Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:

  • men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
  • spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week

Find out how many units are in your favourite drink and get tips on cutting down.

Alcohol is also high in calories, which will make you gain weight and can further increase your blood pressure.

Lose weight

Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure.

Find out if you need to lose weight with the BMI healthy weight calculator

If you do need to lose some weight, it's worth remembering that just losing a few pounds will make a big difference to your blood pressure and overall health.

Get advice on losing weight safely

Get active

Being active and taking regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

Regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which will also help lower your blood pressure.

Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.

Physical activity can include anything from sport to walking and gardening.

Cut down on caffeine

Drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day may increase your blood pressure. 

If you're a big fan of coffee, tea or other caffeine-rich drinks, such as cola and some energy drinks, consider cutting down.

It's fine to drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it's important that these drinks are not your main or only source of fluid.

Stop smoking

Smoking does not directly cause high blood pressure, but it puts you at much higher risk of a heart attack and stroke.

Smoking, like high blood pressure, will cause your arteries to narrow.

If you smoke and have high blood pressure, your arteries will narrow much more quickly, and your risk of heart or lung disease in the future is dramatically increased.

Get help to stop smoking

Page last reviewed: 23 October 2019
Next review due: 23 October 2022

The American Heart Association sheds light on little-known blood pressure raising habits

DALLAS, Feb 20, 2019 – With nearly half of American adults having elevated blood pressure, it’s important for everyone to understand that some common habits may affect blood pressure, making the condition more difficult to control.

That’s why the American Heart Association is providing quick reference tools for health care providers to guide their patients in discovering “BP raisers” that are often hiding in plain sight:

Improper measurement: Mistakes taking blood pressure can lead to false high readings. Ideally, patients will follow up in-office measurements with regular checks at home to rule out “white coat hypertension,” which occurs due to anxiety in a clinic setting. In either place, patients should be asked to prepare for a blood pressure reading by emptying their bladder, avoiding cigarettes or caffeine for half an hour before the measurement, and sitting quietly for a few minutes before taking a reading. During the test, a patient should rest the arm being measured on a surface that’s chest level, feet should be flat on the floor, and no talking.

Over-the-counter medications: Common pain medicines called NSAIDs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can increase blood pressure. Ask patients what they use to treat minor aches and pains. Drugs such as acetaminophen are less likely to increase blood pressure. Decongestants are also known BP-raisers. People with heart concerns should limit or avoid them, particularly if their blood pressure is uncontrolled.

Some prescription medicines that can affect blood pressure should be screened for: medicines to treat mental health, corticosteroids, oral birth control, immunosuppressants and some cancer medications.

Alcohol and caffeine: Excesses of either can raise blood pressure. Ask about these habits during office visits. Limited use is encouraged. Caffeine should be capped at three cups per day in general and avoided in most people with high blood pressure.

Herbs and food combinations: Make sure patients understand that “natural” supplements and home remedies aren’t necessarily safe. Some herbal supplements, such as licorice, can raise blood pressure. Other foods can interact with medications to have a negative effect. Strong cheeses, cured meats, soy products and other foods that contain tyramine should be avoided by anyone taking antidepressants, such as monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

A downloadable toolkit and other guides at www.heart.org/BPtools can help healthcare providers and patients achieve successful blood pressure management.   

The American Heart Association’s efforts to improve healthy choices related to living with high blood pressure are proudly supported by Tylenol.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Maggie Francis: (214) 706-1382;

For Public Inquiries: (800)-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and strokeassociation.org

How can I raise my blood pressure quickly and naturally?

There are plenty of natural ways and lifestyle changes to raise low blood pressure, including the following lifestyle changes..
Eat more salt. ... .
Avoid alcoholic beverages. ... .
Discuss medications with a doctor. ... .
Cross legs while sitting. ... .
Drink water. ... .
Eat small meals frequently. ... .
Wear compression stockings. ... .
Avoid sudden position changes..

How can I quickly bring my blood pressure up?

For example, if you stand up suddenly, it may drop for an instant. Your blood pressure also lowers when you're resting or asleep..
Drink plenty of water. ... .
Eat a balanced diet. ... .
Eat smaller meals. ... .
Limit or avoid alcohol. ... .
Eat more salt. ... .
Check your blood sugar. ... .
Get your thyroid checked..

What foods raise blood pressure immediately?

Eat Salty Foods Foods with high salt content can elevate your blood pressure. Good sources of salt include olives, cottage cheese, and canned soup or tuna. You can also add table salt or sea salt to your meals, depending on your preference.

What we should eat when BP is low?

Salty foods can increase blood pressure. Try eating canned soup, smoked fish, cottage cheese, pickled items, and olives. Caffeine. Coffee and caffeinated tea may temporarily spike blood pressure by stimulating the cardiovascular system and boosting your heart rate.