DH's blood pressure seems to be creeping up quite quickly. It was 148 last week so they called him and asked him to monitor it twice a day. It's currently around 156-158.
He is 65 years old. 6'1". Big build but not fat. He's never been sporty but he has tried recently to be more active. He probably averages 6-9k steps per day or does some gentle gardening. He grumbles about aches and stiffness if he gardens for more than a couple of hours, which worries me and he can struggle to exert himself physically (e.g.climbing a walkable mountain) due to an injury in his knee from his teens.
He is a very regular drinker but not excessive. Average intake 250ml a day (it takes him three days to finish a bottle of wine - so maybe 2.5 bottles per week or less)
Our surgery is barely functioning since lockdown. You can't see a GP for weeks. They'll phone or text you (they texted him when he gave them his 148 reading). So I can't tell how dangerous 158 is or what he should do about it other than take online advice to cut salt, alcohol and exercise gently more often.
I don't know how to help him. I suggested stopping drinking, doing the 5:2 diet neither of which he's keen to try. I had been encouraging him for about 3 years to walk more and he only started doing 6k a day when he got the first raised BP reading. So he doesn't take my advice. I have persuaded him to switch to 1/2 decaff 1/2 fresh coffee too, which might help. He refused decaff. He's very set in his ways.
Any advice from people with experience of high blood pressure? Can it be lowered by lifestyle changes?