Want to avoid a heart attack?

Keep youru00a0BP in check in 5 simple steps

Cut down on fat and boost your intake of protein. Cut back on caffeine and increase your consumption of raw fruits and veggies. Get out and about. Everyone knows the standard mantras for living a healthy, heart trouble-free life. But what are some of the little things you can do to lower your BP and boost your chances of leading a healthier life? Here are five, fun ways:

1. Drink your milk: Mummy does know best. People with high BP are usually low on calcium. Can't stand the stuff? Tofu, broccoli, and spinach are good substitutes. No? Take a calcium supplement.
2. Get Garlic breath: Studies have shown that garlic and onions can actually help decrease hypertension. Just make sure to keep a breathmint handy!
3. Potassium is a friend: Oranges, bananas, apricots, strawberries, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower and eggplant are all potassium-rich foods that must be included in your diet. Need a reason to swear off colas? Remember they can leach your body of potassium.
4. Catch up on beauty sleep Make sure you get a good night's sleep and try sticking to a regular sleep-wake cycle. High BP patients deprived of sleep experience significant increases in blood pressure.
5. Linger in the bath: Just a few drops of lavender or ylang ylang essential oils in warm water can help temporarily lower blood pressure. Though, avoid rosemary, sage and thyme essential oils as they can lead to a spike in blood-pressure levels.