Maintain a moderate weight

Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which further raises blood pressure.

Losing even just 5 to 10 pounds can help people with obesity or overweight conditions lower their blood pressure. In general, blood pressure might go down by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight lost. Monitoring your waistline is essential for controlling blood pressure in addition to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Visceral fat, or the extra fat around your waist, may have a bad impact on heart health and, over time, may lead to significant health issues, such as high blood pressure. In general, men should aim for a waist size of around 40 inches, while women should aim for a waist measurement of under 35 inches.