What factors may be contributing most to my high blood pressure?
Health Conditions
Hypertension
Small changes can make a difference
High blood pressure can be influenced by many factors, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, and metabolic health. Lifestyle medicine can work alongside your medical care to help lower blood pressure, support heart health, and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.
Proactive care
High blood pressure is often influenced by multiple, interconnected factors, including:
- Nutrition, including sodium intake and overall dietary quality
- Physical activity and cardiovascular fitness
- Stress and how your body responds to it
- Sleep quality and sleep disorders
- Weight and metabolic health
Lifestyle medicine looks at these factors together rather than in isolation. Your clinician can help you identify where to focus, monitor your blood pressure, and adjust your care as your health changes.
Questions to ask your care team
Which lifestyle changes could make the biggest difference for my blood pressure right now?
Should I monitor my blood pressure at home, and what range should I aim for?
How do my medications fit into this plan, and how will we know if they need to be adjusted?
What additional support could help me, such as a dietitian, health coach, care team, or group program?
Cardiovascular Health and Plant-Based Nutrition
An introduction to how a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern may support heart and cardiometabolic health.
Best for: People who want to use nutrition to support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and heart health.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which nutrition changes would most benefit my cardiovascular risk factors?” to your next visit.
Important: Major nutrition changes can affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and medication needs. Coordinate changes with your healthcare team.
First Steps to Health Restoration
A practical starting guide for using evidence-based lifestyle habits to address root causes and move toward better health.
Best for: People ready to take an active role in preventing, treating, or potentially improving a chronic condition.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “What is the safest and most meaningful first step for improving my health?” to your next visit.
Important: Lifestyle changes can affect symptoms, blood pressure, blood sugar, and medication needs. Work with your healthcare team as your health changes.
Health Parameters: Color Journey
A visual tool for following important health measures and recognizing changes over time.
Best for: People who want an easy way to understand and discuss their personal health measures.
Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which health measures should I follow, what is my target range, and how often should they be checked?” to your next visit.
Important: A single measurement does not tell the whole story. Review trends, targets, and next steps with your healthcare team.