# High Blood Pressure: What to Do and Avoid

> Learn how to measure blood pressure correctly, respond to elevated readings, recognize important symptoms, and understand Dr. Wydoff's recommendations.

- URL: https://celitel.online/en/blog/vysokoe-davlenie-chto-delat/
- Author: Dr. Boris Wydoff — https://celitel.online/en/about/
- Published: 2026-11-05
- Language: en

High blood pressure is a reason to calmly assess how you feel and check your readings, not to panic. If your blood pressure monitor shows elevated numbers, sit down, rest, take another reading, and write down the result. Pay attention to how you feel. If you experience sudden chest pain or severe chest discomfort, especially along with shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or dizziness, call emergency services immediately. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. What you should do next depends on your readings, accompanying symptoms, and your doctor's recommendations.

## What Is High Blood Pressure and How Does It Affect You?

Blood pressure measures the force with which blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels. It consists of two readings: systolic (the upper number) and diastolic (the lower number). The first reflects the pressure when your heart contracts, while the second measures it when your heart relaxes.

What is high blood pressure called in medical terms? It is known as arterial hypertension, or simply hypertension. It can persist for a long time, gradually increasing the strain on your heart, blood vessels, and other organs.

The tricky thing about hypertension is that people often feel perfectly fine. They continue working, doing household chores, going for walks, and may have no idea that their readings are elevated. That's why feeling well does not necessarily mean your blood pressure is normal.

Sometimes people experience headaches, blurred vision, or chest discomfort. However, these symptoms do not occur in everyone. The opposite can also happen: someone complains of a headache, but their blood pressure readings are not elevated.

If your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher when measured by a healthcare professional, it meets the threshold for high blood pressure. For home measurements, the reference value is 135/85 mmHg or higher. These readings deserve attention, but a final diagnosis takes repeated measurements and a medical assessment into account.

## Why Does Blood Pressure Rise and What Affects It?

High blood pressure: the causes can involve several factors at once. The likelihood of developing hypertension increases with age. Genetics also matters: if close relatives have had this condition, your risk is higher.

Among the common risk factors, doctors identify a diet high in salt, excess weight, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Prolonged emotional stress is also associated with a higher likelihood of hypertension.

Physical inactivity matters too. When someone spends most of the day sitting, rarely goes for walks, and does little physical activity, it becomes harder to maintain a healthy weight and good overall health.

The kidneys deserve special attention. They help regulate blood pressure, so kidney disease can be accompanied by elevated readings. When blood pressure remains high, your doctor may check not only your heart and blood vessels but also your kidney function.

There isn't always just one identifiable cause. A person may have a genetic predisposition, dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and other contributing factors at the same time. That's why identifying the cause starts with measurements and a medical examination, not guesswork. The most important thing is not to try to diagnose the source of the problem yourself, but to monitor your readings and seek appropriate medical advice.

## How Can You Tell If Your Blood Pressure Is Really High?

High blood pressure does not always cause symptoms. That's why relying only on headaches, weakness, dizziness, or a feeling of heaviness in your head is not a good idea. These complaints can accompany many different conditions and do not allow you to identify the cause of feeling unwell on your own.

For example, headaches can be related to overwork, lack of sleep, and other factors. Blurred vision can also have various explanations. Even if several unpleasant sensations appear at the same time, this does not necessarily mean you have hypertension.

Some people notice a racing heartbeat, internal trembling, or anxiety. When blood pressure suddenly rises, internal trembling can cause additional worry. The first step is to assess your overall condition, measure your blood pressure, and pay attention to any accompanying symptoms. Trembling on its own does not prove that your blood pressure has increased.

How can you distinguish hypertension from other conditions with similar symptoms? The main guide is your blood pressure reading, not how intense your symptoms feel. A doctor makes the diagnosis after an examination and the necessary tests, including repeated blood pressure measurements.

If your first reading is elevated, your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood pressure at home for several days. Sometimes a special portable device is used to record readings regularly over a 24-hour period. This approach helps assess the situation based on more than one isolated result.

That's why you shouldn't wait for a headache or other unpleasant symptoms before using your blood pressure monitor. Regular measurements can reveal changes that have not yet affected how you feel.

## High Blood Pressure: What to Do at Home

When you discover that your readings are elevated, the first thing to do is understand how serious the situation might be. Don't try to judge the danger only by whether you have a headache or feel your heart racing. Measurements and accompanying symptoms provide much more useful information.

If you feel well enough, sit down and rest quietly. Check your blood pressure monitor and write down the result. If your doctor has recommended home monitoring, continue measuring according to the agreed schedule. This will help you see patterns rather than draw conclusions from random readings.

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, follow a clear sequence of steps.

**What to Do When Your Blood Pressure Is High: Seven Practical Steps**

1. **Stop what you're doing.** If you feel unwell or discover that your readings are elevated, don't rush around or continue with household chores. Find a quiet place where you can sit down and rest.

2. **Assess how you feel.** Pay attention to sudden chest pain or severe discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, and dizziness. If you notice these warning signs, call emergency services without delay.

3. **Measure your blood pressure.** Use a blood pressure monitor to get actual systolic and diastolic readings. Don't try to estimate them based on headaches, a racing heartbeat, or internal trembling.

4. **Write down the result.** Record both numbers so you can compare them with your next reading. These notes will also help your doctor assess changes and understand whether your blood pressure remains consistently elevated.

5. **Continue monitoring at home.** If your doctor has recommended measuring your blood pressure for several days, follow the agreed schedule. Don't rely on a single isolated reading: repeated measurements provide a more complete picture of your condition.

6. **Don't change your treatment on your own.** If you have already been prescribed medication, don't stop taking it or change your dosage without medical advice. Treatment depends on your readings, age, and individual circumstances.

7. **Gradually review your habits.** Pay attention to how much salt you eat, whether you smoke or drink alcohol, your physical activity, and any excess weight. For regular exercise, you can choose walks, gentle walking routines, or light exercises suited to your abilities.

You should not change your prescribed treatment plan on your own. Your doctor selects medication based on your blood pressure levels, age, and individual circumstances. Sometimes controlling blood pressure requires a combination of several medications.

Another common question is how to lower high blood pressure without medication. Lifestyle changes really can help improve your readings. These include a balanced diet, regular physical activity, losing excess weight, and quitting smoking.

However, home measures should never become an experiment with your health. Don't try to change your condition rapidly using random drinks, unproven remedies, or intensive procedures. Be especially cautious about advice from acquaintances who recommend one universal remedy for every situation.

## What to Eat and How to Change Your Daily Habits

Diet and physical activity are two areas that you can gradually improve every day. Your diet should be varied and balanced. Ideally, it should include vegetables, fruit, and other nutritious plant-based foods.

Pay particular attention to salt. Too much salt in your diet is one of the common risk factors for hypertension. It's helpful to eat fewer salty snacks, limit ready-made products containing large amounts of salt, and avoid the habit of adding extra salt to food that has already been prepared.

Drinks matter too. Excessive consumption of coffee, strong tea, and other caffeinated beverages is not recommended. You should also avoid drinking too much alcohol. Smoking is another habit worth giving up.

Make physical activity a regular part of your daily routine. Walking, gentle exercise, light gymnastics, and other activities suited to your physical abilities are all good options. Medical guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. You can use this figure as a guideline when planning your activity.

If you are overweight, gradually losing some weight can also be beneficial. There's no need to start with strict restrictions or exhausting workouts. It's much more sensible to develop sustainable habits that you can maintain over time.

You can begin by reviewing your usual meals and daily schedule. For example, include more vegetables in your diet, pay closer attention to salty foods, and set aside time for walks. Consistency is what matters: these changes should become part of your everyday life rather than a short-lived attempt to improve your readings.

## My Advice for High Blood Pressure: My Approach

In my naturopathic practice, I consider elevated blood pressure in connection with the condition of the kidneys, blood vessels, and capillary circulation. I pay attention not only to the numbers on the blood pressure monitor but also to how a person feels overall. Here are several areas I consider particularly important.

**First. Pay Attention to Your Kidneys.**

I believe the kidneys and blood pressure are directly connected. According to my theory, when the kidney blood vessels become hardened and blood flow through them deteriorates, the body raises overall blood pressure to maintain filtration. That's why, when dealing with persistent hypertension, I recommend paying attention not only to the heart and blood vessels but also to kidney health. I consider giving the kidneys a break one of the areas of focus in my approach to health.

**Second. Include Fresh Vegetable Juices in Your Diet.**

I recommend three vegetable juice blends that have a special place in my nutritional system.

The first formula consists of 300 ml of carrot juice, 90 ml of beetroot juice, and 90 ml of cucumber juice. I associate this combination with supporting the kidneys, liver, and gallbladder, whose condition, in my opinion, also influences blood pressure.

The second blend consists of 210 ml of carrot juice, 120 ml of celery juice, 60 ml of parsley juice, and 90 ml of spinach juice. I call it the potassium blend and consider it a source of nourishment for the blood vessels and blood.

The third option consists of 240 ml of carrot juice, 120 ml of spinach juice, 60 ml of turnip juice, and 60 ml of watercress juice. In my experience, this combination is particularly interesting for supporting the capillaries.

All three recipes are designed to make approximately one large glass, about 480 ml. You can prepare half a portion instead. I consider freshly squeezed vegetable juices a good way to add variety to a plant-based diet. However, if you have kidney disease, kidney stones, or hypertension, you should discuss dietary changes with your doctor.

**Third. Don't Let Fear of High Blood Pressure Control Your Everyday Life.**

I believe a person's emotional well-being deserves just as much attention as their daily habits. In my system, I associate constantly expecting your condition to worsen with increased internal tension. In my view, fear itself can be accompanied by constriction of the capillaries, while calm confidence helps a person maintain balance.

I recommend changing anxious thought patterns. Instead of constantly repeating, "I have high blood pressure; I won't be able to cope," I suggest telling yourself, "I am recovering." In my experience, this mindset helps prevent caring for your health from turning into a constant battle against your own body.

**Fourth. Pay Attention to Capillary Circulation.**

I associate blood pressure fluctuations with the condition of small blood vessels, blood stagnation, and what I call acidification of the internal environment. According to my theory, capillary constriction makes blood circulation more difficult and places additional strain on the body. That's why I consider supporting capillary circulation a separate focus of my naturopathic approach.

Modern medicine, meanwhile, assesses hypertension primarily through blood pressure measurements and the condition of the heart, kidneys, and other organs. Treatment is selected according to individual risk factors. My approach adds another perspective on health, with particular attention to capillaries, nutrition, and emotional well-being.

## When to See a Doctor

When dealing with high blood pressure, it's important to distinguish between situations requiring emergency assistance and those that can be addressed through a routine medical appointment.

**When to Call Emergency Services**

Seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience sudden chest pain or severe chest discomfort that does not go away. The sensation may feel like squeezing, pressure, or burning behind the breastbone.

It is especially dangerous if the pain spreads to one or both arms, your neck, jaw, abdomen, or back. Other warning signs include cold sweats, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. This combination of symptoms may indicate a heart attack, which requires urgent medical attention.

Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. Wait for medical assistance and follow the emergency operator's instructions. Don't delay seeking help to take repeated blood pressure readings or attempt to manage alarming symptoms on your own.

**When to Make a Routine Doctor's Appointment**

If you suspect you have hypertension, schedule a blood pressure check. People over 40 who have not had their blood pressure checked in more than five years should pay particular attention to this.

Other reasons to see a doctor include recurring headaches, blurred vision, and chest pain that comes and goes. Don't wait until the discomfort becomes constant.

If your home measurements regularly show elevated readings, tell your doctor. A healthcare professional will determine whether you need repeat checks, 24-hour monitoring, or additional examinations.

If hypertension is confirmed, your doctor will assess your risk of complications and decide whether medication is necessary. High blood pressure increases the strain on your heart, blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Without proper monitoring and treatment, the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and other serious complications increases.

You can read more about how I approach this subject on the "[Heart and Blood Vessels](/health/serdtse/)" page.

## Editorial Note

This article is based on the books of Dr. Boris Wydoff and medical reference materials covering the causes, symptoms, and management of arterial hypertension. The author's naturopathic views are presented as his personal perspective. This material does not replace a doctor's consultation or prescribed treatment.

Medical information: [NHS (UK National Health Service)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/).

## FAQ

**Q: High blood pressure — what should I do first?**
A: Stop what you're doing, sit down, and rest quietly. Then measure your blood pressure with a monitor and write down both readings. Assess how you feel: if you experience sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or dizziness, call emergency services immediately. Do not try to change your prescribed treatment on your own.

**Q: What blood pressure readings are considered high?**
A: When measured by a healthcare professional, the threshold is 140/90 mmHg or higher. For home measurements, the reference value is 135/85 mmHg or higher. A final diagnosis takes repeated measurements and a medical examination into account.

**Q: Can lifestyle changes help keep blood pressure normal?**
A: Changing your daily habits can help maintain healthier blood pressure readings. It's important to eat a balanced diet, limit excess salt, quit smoking, manage your weight, and get at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. However, these measures are not a reason to stop taking prescribed medication on your own.

**Q: What should I drink if my blood pressure goes up?**
A: There is no universal drink that can lower blood pressure in an emergency. Dr. Wydoff recommends three vegetable juice blends based on carrot, beetroot, cucumber, and other vegetable juices. However, he considers them part of his nutritional system, not a replacement for medical treatment. If you have kidney disease, kidney stones, or hypertension, discuss dietary changes with your doctor.

**Q: Why does blood pressure rise without causing symptoms?**
A: Hypertension often develops without noticeable symptoms. A person may carry on with their usual activities and feel perfectly normal, even when their readings are already above the normal range. That's why it's important to check your blood pressure regularly rather than waiting for a headache or weakness to appear.

**Q: Can stress cause blood pressure to rise?**
A: Prolonged emotional stress is one of the factors associated with a higher likelihood of hypertension. Dr. Wydoff also emphasizes emotional well-being and advises against letting fear of blood pressure readings control everyday life. However, the specific cause of elevated blood pressure is determined through medical examinations.

**Q: Which foods should I avoid if I have hypertension?**
A: First of all, limit salty snacks, ready-made products containing large amounts of salt, and the habit of adding extra salt to prepared food. You should also avoid excessive alcohol, coffee, strong tea, and other caffeinated drinks. Your diet should be varied and balanced, with vegetables and fruit as an important part of it.

**Q: Should I measure my blood pressure if I have no symptoms?**
A: Yes, because hypertension can remain unnoticed for a long time. Feeling well does not guarantee normal blood pressure readings. If elevated values are detected, your doctor may recommend home monitoring for several days or 24-hour monitoring.

**Q: What is the right thing to do if my blood pressure monitor shows high readings?**
A: First, sit down calmly, rest, measure your blood pressure, and write down the result. Then assess how you feel and watch for warning signs, especially sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. If your doctor has recommended home monitoring, continue taking readings according to the agreed schedule.

**Q: Can I increase my medication dose on my own if my blood pressure is high?**
A: No. You should not change your prescribed treatment plan on your own. Your doctor selects medication based on your blood pressure readings, age, and individual circumstances. Sometimes controlling hypertension requires a combination of several medications.


_Educational content; it does not replace medical advice._