In the UK, it is estimated that around 12.5million adults suffer from hypertension, accounting for around one in four Britons.
A number of lifestyle modifications can assist those looking to lower their blood pressure, from abiding by a sensible, balanced diet to regular physical activity.
With such high figures, high blood pressure has become a significant public health concern as the condition is often considered the gateway to increased risk of stroke and heart attack, if left untreated.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
A number of lifestyle changes can assist lowering blood pressure
|@drjeremylondon/TikTok
To help decrease pressure, heart surgeon Dr Jeremy London (@drjeremylondon) has named a few simple lifestyle changes that can be incorporated into your day-to-day life.
“Now, each of these things has a significant effect but when you add them together, the effect is even more profound,” the doctor advised.
“Understand that if you need medication, it’s not a failure. In fact, if you follow all of these steps many times, you need far less medication.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The first thing to do, according to the cardio surgeon, is to abide by a “good, common-sense whole foods diet” to maintain a healthy weight.
Additionally, it is good to focus on slashing your sodium intake and increasing dietary potassium and magnesium, he instructed.
Natural sources of potassium include bananas, avocados, spinach, sweet potatoes, beans and yoghurt.
Meanwhile, some easy ways to incorporate more magnesium into your diet is by consuming sufficient leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains.
Staying on track with a healthy, balanced diet is key to lowering blood pressure
|GETTY
Exercise makes up the second central pillar of the surgeon's advice on how to lower blood pressure, with Dr London asserting that both aerobic and resistance training were “crucial”.
And, finally, the surgeon warned against excessive consumption of alcohol. In the short term, such drinks can cause pressure to spike by stimulating the nervous system.
In the long term, however, consistent consumption of alcohol can potentially lead to chronic hypertension by narrowing the blood vessels.
As a result, the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, causing your blood pressure to increase.
It is particularly important to manage blood pressure as hypertension can increase your risk of suffering a stroke, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and vascular dementia.