High Blood Pressure

Managing high blood pressure

High blood pressure is common. It can raise your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems. The good news is that healthy habits, regular monitoring, and prescribed treatment (a provider-ordered care plan) can help manage blood pressure effectively. 

What is high blood pressure?

  • Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries.
  • A blood pressure reading has two numbers:
    • Systolic pressure: the top number, measuring pressure when the heart beats
    • Diastolic pressure: the bottom number, measuring pressure when the heart rests between beats
  • High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so regular checks are important.
  • A healthcare provider can tell you what blood pressure goal is right for you based on your age, health history, and risk factors.
  • Ask your healthcare provider what your target blood pressure should be.
  • Keep a written record of your readings.

Eat healthy and reduce sodium 

  • Limit foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and added sugars.
  • Consider trying the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan, better known as the DASH eating plan, to help lower blood pressure.
  • Read nutrition labels to compare sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar.
  • Look for foods with these labels: low sodium, no salt added, or reduced sodium (a combination of these)
  • Avoid salt — Flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, or salt-free seasoning blends.

Be active

  • Regular physical activity can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
  • Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, if approved by your healthcare provider.
  • Talk with your provider before beginning a new activity plan, especially if you have heart disease, symptoms, or other medical conditions.

Managing stress

  • Stress may contribute to unhealthy habits that raise blood pressure.
  • Try stress-management techniques, such as finding time in your day for rest and relaxation.
  • Talk with a healthcare professional if stress, anxiety, or depression feels hard to manage.

Take medicines as prescribed

  • If your provider prescribes blood pressure medicine, take it exactly as directed.
  • Do not stop or change your medicine without talking to your provider.
  • Tell your provider about any side effects that you have.
  • Share a full list of your medicines, vitamins, and supplements at each appointment.

Quit smoking  

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Improvements begin soon after you stop smoking (but are impacted by how long you were a smoker). 

The benefits of quitting smoking include:

  • Reduced heart rate
  • Improved blood flow to your heart
  • Lower risk of heart attack
  • Lower risk of coronary heart disease

TRICARE East offers a free program called Commit to Quit, that provides free resources for beneficiaries who want to quit tobacco and vaping. You can reach a nicotine cessation specialist at 877-414-9949. 

Visit the Commit to Quit program page, for more information.

TRICARE coverage

TRICARE covers care you need for high blood pressure. This includes high blood pressure tests, treatment, and more for eligible beneficiaries.

Blood pressure screening

Live and on-demand webinars

We hold webinars and offer on-demand videos to help you understand hypertension and other conditions, which can lead to better treatment and positive changes.

View a schedule of live webinars and on-demand videos you can watch anytime.

Resources

See the Beneficiary care management resource guide, for more information.

Last Updated 10/20/2026