A landmark National Institutes of Health (NIH) study now shows that lowering your blood pressure can save your life. It specifically shows that a lower target blood pressure of 120 greatly reduces cardiovascular complications and deaths in older adults. Do you need tips on how to lower your blood pressure? We’ve got you covered!

Study on Blood Pressure Numbers

According to the initial results of a landmark clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health called the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), lowering your blood pressure greatly reduces your risk of heart attack and death. When blood pressure medication is lowered to systolic pressure of 120, rates of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and heart failure, as well as stroke, are reduced by almost a third and the risk of death by almost a quarter, as compared to the target systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg.

The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, known as SPRINT, studied more than 9,300 people older than age 50 who had high blood pressure and at least one other risk factor for heart disease. By using medicines to reduce systolic blood pressure to a target blood pressure of 120 or below, instead of below 140:

• rates of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke went down 30 percent; and
• rates of death from those conditions dropped nearly 25 percent.

The research showed such potential for substantial benefit that the trial was ended early so that researchers could present and publicize their findings.

Lower Your Blood Pressure With These Mindful Tips

1. Watch your diet. A diet rich in colorful fruit and vegetables can lower your blood pressure. Foods rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants can protect your heart. So try adding oranges, strawberries, bananas, acorn squash, dark chocolate, and walnuts to your diet. Need more suggestions? This high blood pressure article may help lower your blood pressure numbers.
2. Consider acupuncture. This practice is as an alternative medical therapy. Studies show that it can lower blood pressure and help manage stress. Would you like to use acupuncture to lower your blood pressure as well? If so, check out this article on acupuncture, too.