Whether or not you are taking medications, there are several things that you can do to lower your pressure.

Lose weight. Of all the non-drug methods of lowering pressure, this is definitely the most effective. On average, a 10-pound loss of weight will lower your pressure by as much as 5 mm Hg.

Take more exercise. This helps partly by helping you lose weight, but also in its own right. The usual goal is aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week. Weight lifting and body-building are not recommended.

If you are a regular drinker, cut down on your alcohol intake. More than one or two drinks a day will raise your pressure.

You can try reducing your salt intake. This doesn't work in everyone and is more likely to be effective if you are over 45-years old and have definite hypertension. In younger people and those with borderline hypertension, losing weight is much more important.

Increase your potassium intake. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, and are also low in salt.

Eating fish has been found to lower blood pressure.

Stress reduction techniques such as biofeedback and relaxation have not been found to be very successful.