GradedHealth

High blood pressure

Blood pressure that stays above healthy levels and strains the heart and blood vessels.

31 findings across 26 topics. Strongest evidence: Salt (A), Garlic (B), Strength Training (B).

Grades show how certain the evidence is, not how big the effect is. How we grade evidence

What helps

Salt

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade A: Strong
  • Lowers blood pressure in chronic kidney disease — Benefit, grade B: Moderate
  • Salt substitutes lower blood pressure — Benefit, grade B: Moderate

Garlic

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade B: Moderate

Strength Training

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade B: Moderate

Mediterranean Diet

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade B: Moderate

Isometric Exercise

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited
  • Lowers blood pressure more than other exercise types — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Swimming

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Dark Chocolate

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Oats

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Sauna

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Tai Chi

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Time in Nature

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Yoga

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Meditation

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Green Tea

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Magnesium

  • Lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Yogurt and Kefir

  • Synbiotic yogurt lowers blood pressure — Benefit, grade C: Limited

Mixed evidence

Beetroot Juice

  • Lowers blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Blueberries

  • Lowers blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Breathing Exercises

  • Lowers blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Intermittent Fasting

  • Lowers blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Isometric Exercise

  • Lowers 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Red Wine

  • Lowers blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Pet Ownership

  • Lowers blood pressure — Mixed results, grade C: Limited

Doesn't seem to help

Coenzyme Q10

  • Lowers blood pressure in hypertension — No effect, grade B: Moderate

Olive Oil

  • Lowers blood pressure — No effect, grade C: Limited

Eggs

  • Does not raise blood pressure — No effect, grade C: Limited

Yogurt and Kefir

  • Kefir lowers blood pressure — No effect, grade C: Limited