Why Does Hypertension Matter
If you are in this 130/80 range, reducing your blood pressure can help protect you from heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, eye disease, and even cognitive decline. The goal of the new guidelines is to encourage you to treat your high blood pressure seriously and to take action to bring it down, primarily using lifestyle interventions. “It is well documented that lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure as much as pills can, and sometimes even more,” says Dr. Fisher.
Making those changes can be challenging. More than one woman has woken up in the morning committed to healthy eating only to be derailed by a plate of cookies on a table in the office or a dinner out with friends.
Health & Wellnesswhat’s The Best Diet Of 2021 Mediterranean Flexitarian And Dash Top List
Consider a blood pressure-lowering diet. While that phrase may conjure images of unseasoned egg whites and limp steamed veggies, getting your blood pressure into a healthy range is more than just doable it can be a downright delight. Start by adding the Eat This, Not That! approved list of blood pressure-lowering foods into your regular routine.
Consider Cutting Back On Caffeine
Caffeine raises your blood pressure, but the effect is temporary.
In a 2017 study, the systolic blood pressure of 18 participants was elevated for 2 hours after they drank 32 ounces of either a caffeinated drink or an energy drink. Blood pressure then dropped more quickly for the participants who drank a caffeinated drink .
Some people may be more sensitive to caffeine than others. If youre caffeine-sensitive, you may want to cut back on your coffee consumption, or try .
Research on caffeine, including its health benefits, is in the news a lot. The choice of whether to cut back depends on many individual factors.
One older study indicated that caffeines effect on raising blood pressure is greater if your blood pressure is already high. This same study, however, called for more research on the subject .
If your blood pressure is very high or doesnt decrease after making these lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend prescription drugs.
They work and will improve your long-term outcome, especially if you have other risk factors . However, it can take some time to find the right combination of medications.
Talk with your doctor about possible medications and what might work best for you.
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Final Thoughts On The Best Blood Pressure
There you have it! We just detailed 20 delicious vegetables that lower blood pressure. However, that list is only a sample of foods included in a healthy blood pressure diet.
Additional foods include other potassium- and magnesium-rich foods like bananas, sunflower seeds, and melon. You can also benefit greatly from other nutritional powerhouses like garlic, coriander, olive oil, dark chocolate, tomatoes, beans, legumes, and pomegranate juice.
As a cautionary note, there are certain foods that are best to avoid if you have high blood pressure. Be sure to stay clear of too much alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and omega-6 fats and trans fats.
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How K Health Can Help
Get help for all your blood pressure concerns. Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?
to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.
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What Causes High Blood Pressure
In many cases, the cause of high blood pressure can be difficult to determine. At least 90% of blood pressure is defined as essential hypertension, which basically means there is no distinct cause identified, says Dr. Mehta. According to the CDC, hypertension develops over time and can often occur due to unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor diet and a lack of exercise.
According to Dr. Mehta, less than 10% of patients have identifiable causes of high blood pressure, which can include:
- Tumors in the adrenal glands
- Aorta abnormalities
According to the CDC, diabetes can increase your risk, too, and hypertension can occur during pregnancy. Some medications, such as oral contraceptives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, corticosteroids, antidepressants, weight loss medications and antacids that contain sodium, can exacerbate hypertension as well.
Eating The Right Foods And Avoiding Unhealthy Ones Can Help Keep Your Blood Pressure In Check
If youve been diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, your doctor has probably advised you to make a number of lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and dietary changes. According to the National Institutes of Health , eating a diet of nutrient-rich, low-sodium foods can lower blood pressure naturally.
Natural nutrients are generally more packed with good antioxidants, which may get damaged when prepared for storage, says John Higgins, MD, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the UTHealth McGovern Medical School in Houston.
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Yogurt Provides The Calcium Necessary For Normal Blood Pressure
Yogurt is a good source of calcium an 8-ounce serving of plain, lowfat yogurt provides 415 milligrams, per the NIH, almost one-third of an adults recommended daily value. Calcium deficiency can be a contributor to high blood pressure, according to Harvard Health.
A lot of people associate calcium with something that children need, and stop focusing on calcium-containing foods as an adult, but the adult body still needs it, Dean says.
Yogurt is a low-sodium food thats great straight out of the container, but you can also use it as a creamy addition to a smoothie just mix a cup with diced portions of your favorite fruit in the blender. Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt whenever possible. Nonfat, plain Greek yogurt also makes a great substitute for sour cream!
Top 13 Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
Regardless of location or income level, the leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease. One of the most common conditions leading to heart disease and stroke is the all-too familiar issue of high blood pressure. A shocking one in three individuals in the United States has high blood pressure.
The good news is that high blood pressure can usually be reversed naturally, specifically through lifestyle changes and consuming foods that lower blood pressure.
Even though its closely related to dietary and lifestyle habits, many people try to rely on medication alone to solve their blood pressure problems.
One of the most popular prescription drugs for hypertension, Lisinopril, names side effects including blurred vision, confusion, dizziness and unusual tiredness or weakness.
To me, that sounds pretty undesirable for something you can easily correct with a high blood pressure diet and lifestyle changes. In fact, Im going to tell you about 13 foods, including everything from snacks to juice to herbs, that have been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure.
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Other Ways To Lower Blood Pressure
There are a variety of natural ways to lower blood pressure in addition to diet and exercise. For instance, there are several essential oils associated with a reduction in blood pressure, including:
- Bougriba oil
- Valerian oil
If youre interested in supplements that can help you reduce blood pressure, I would try cod liver oil. This anti-inflammatory powerhouse has incredible health benefits and can help to effectively lower blood pressure.
Keep Your Diet Healthy With These Ten Tips
High blood pressure is a national epidemic. Almost a third of Americans have high blood pressure, and another third of all Americans have blood pressure that is higher than normal, just not high enough yet to officially be called “hypertension.” Whether you have hypertension , or elevated blood pressure that not does not yet meet the criteria for hypertension, you can benefit from some simple dietary changes. Studies have demonstrated that you can reduce your blood pressure by eating a healthy diet.
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The 21 Best Foods To Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, aka hypertension, can put you at risk for heart problems, so it’s important to take steps to prevent or lower it. Fortunately, snacking on the best foods to lower blood pressure may help you manage the condition.
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Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood as it pushes against the walls of your blood vessels. It’s generally reported as two numbers: An upper number, called systolic pressure, and a lower number, called diastolic pressure. Normal systolic blood pressure in adults is lower than 120 and normal diastolic pressure is lower than 80, per the American Heart Association .
High blood pressure is anything over 130/80, according to the AHA. And chronic, long-term high blood pressure increases your likelihood of a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and kidney disease.
If you have hypertension, you’re not alone. In fact, high blood pressure statistics show you’re in the company of about 100 million other Americans whose numbers are above the normal range, according to the AHA.
The good news is that this condition is largely treatable. Aside from risk factors you can’t do anything about, such as genetics and aging, many cases of hypertension can be prevented and even resolved through diet.
That’s right: Certain foods can help decrease blood pressure when coupled with eating a nutritious diet overall. Here are the best foods to lower blood pressure, plus other tips for how to lower blood pressure fast.
Why Maintaining A Healthy Blood Pressure Matters
Maintaining a normal blood pressure is important as it allows nutrients and oxygen to be delivered to all parts of the body, including important organs like your heart, brain, and kidneys. According to the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 70 percent of adults 65 and older have high blood pressure . If you have hypertension, you are put at risk for a stroke and heart disease, which are leading causes of death in the country. By eating a low sodium diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium called the DASH diet, you can take the necessary steps to lower your blood pressure. Read on to learn about foods you can incorporate into your diet to stay healthy.
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Lentils And Other Pulses
Lentils provide protein and fiber, and say they can benefit the blood vessels of people with hypertension.
The authors of an analyzed the effects of a pulse-rich diet on rats. The rats consumed a diet that was 30% pulses, including beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Consuming pulses appeared to decrease levels of blood pressure and cholesterol.
A of human trials, with a total of 554 participants, found that consuming pulses may lower blood pressure in people with and without hypertension. However, the authors note that more studies are necessary.
People can use lentils in many ways, including:
- as an alternative to minced beef
- adding bulk to salads
- as a base for stews and soups
Is Eating Raw Veggies Best For Blood Pressure
Although many people with high blood pressure do incredibly well on a diet high in vegetables, some studies have analyzed cooked vegetables vs. raw vegetables in relation to lowering blood pressure.
In one study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension in 2013 , researchers from Imperial College in London would follow about 2,200 people from the U.S. for a three-week period. The results found that raw vegetables were linked to a lower overall blood pressure.
Among the commonly consumed raw vegetables were green leafy vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, and scallions. The common cooked vegetables in the study included tomatoes, scallions, peas, and celery.
The researchers did not include cooked white potatoes and sweet potatoes, since both vegetables have a high starch content.It is also important to note that cooking may reduce the antioxidant content of vegetables. This includes vitamin C, polyphenols, and glucosinolate.
When you do cook vegetables, steaming or blanching them will maintain most of the nutrients, rather than boiling them in water.
Interestingly, the absorption of antioxidants like carotenoids improves when you cook certain vegetables like tomatoes.
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How Does Your Diet Affect Your Blood Pressure
The journal Nature Reviews Disease Primers also explains that certain foods can lower blood pressure in the short and long term. Salty foods can cause high blood pressure. When you eat salt, your body retains more fluids, raising blood volume and pressure. Sugary foods high in saturated fats can also increase blood pressure.
On the other hand, eating a heart-healthy diet is essential for lowering blood pressure and maintaining optimal levels. Research has shown that including certain foods in your diet, especially those high in specific nutrients like potassium and magnesium, reduces your blood pressure levels.
Causes Of High Blood Pressure
Several factors can cause high blood pressure:
- Inactive lifestyle: If you dont get enough physical exercise, your blood pressure can rise because your heart isnt as efficient as it could be.
- Unhealthy Diet
- Genetics: Your genes may have a part to play in high blood pressure because some people have a naturally higher blood pressure than others.
- Overweight: People with high body mass indexes generally have higher blood pressure.
- Bad lifestyle choices:Smoking, smokeless tobacco use, and drinking alcohol all increase your blood pressure.
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Healthiest Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with high blood pressure or you’re just doing your research because high blood pressure runs in your family, you should know about the important role diet plays in managing this condition. To prevent and manage high blood pressure, you should not only remove the unhealthy foods causing the problem from your diet, but you can also eat more foods that lower blood pressure.
What Is High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, has been linked to many abnormal conditions in the human body. It contributes to organs not functioning as they should and increases the risk of organ failure.
Your blood circulates through your body because your heart pumps it. Your veins and arteries are the blood supply and return lines from and to your heart. For blood to move, it needs to be under pressure within these tubes.
Everyone has a pressure that is normal for their body. When your heart beats, this pressure is called systolic pressure and is represented by the first number of your blood pressure reading.
When your heart relaxes between beats, the pressure in your veins and arteries is called diastolic pressure. This is the second number in your blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury because the first accurate pressure measuring device used mercury as the gauge.
Normal blood pressure can range up to 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is usually diagnosed at 140/90 mmHg.
Doctors have known for many years how to treat high blood pressure to ensure people live a long and happy life. They have identified many foods that you can eat which can lower your blood pressure. These foods also reduce the risk of someone developing high blood pressure.
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Double Check The Measurement
If you measure your blood pressure and find it’s extremely high, you may be wondering how to get your blood pressure down quickly. First things first, make sure the reading is accurate before taking steps to lower blood pressure immediately.
It’s especially important to place the cuff in the correct location and keep your arm in the recommended position, per the AHA. Each blood pressure machine used at home or in a store will have its own set of directions for proper use, so follow those instructions to get an accurate reading.
If your initial reading is high, re-read the instructions, make any necessary adjustments and then take your blood pressure again. Make sure enough time has passed between readings so that you’re not repeatedly squeezing the same arm in a short amount of time.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
You may also want to try consuming a drink with apple cider vinegar to lower blood pressure.
A study published in the Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry in 2001 found that the acetic acid from apple cider vinegar would significantly lower renin activity and blood pressure, compared to controls not given acetic acid or vinegar.
The enzyme renin is known to increase blood pressure from stretching receptors in the vascular walls.
Another study from 2006 showed that the acetic acid from apple cider vinegar would regulate high blood pressure by reducing high cholesterola common risk factor in hypertension.
You can take up to three tablespoons twice daily of apple cider vinegar in a glass of filtered water for blood pressure reduction. The key with apple cider vinegar is to start with a low dose and work your way up.
That being said, I recommend two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a drink, along with 12 ounces of warm water, two tablespoons of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey, and a quarter-teaspoon of cinnamon.
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Whole Grain Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
Bread, cereal, pasta, and other foods with carbs and starches can come in whole grain or refined grain versions. Whole grains are full of dietary fiber. Thats why theyre a lot better for your body than foods made with refined white flour. Switch to whole grain versions of foods you already eat. For example, go for whole wheat bread rather than white. Choose brown rice over white.
Shopping tip: Some packaged foods contain a whole grain seal. If you dont see it, check the ingredient list. If the first ingredient listed contains the word whole, that item likely contains mostly whole grain.
Look for whole grain versions of these foods: