Hand to Mouth Combat:

Reducing High Blood Pressure with Diet

          You might never know that you have high blood pressure unless you have it measured on a regular basis.  The relationship to diet might not seem as obvious as some conditions, such as high cholesterol, and there are no “magic” foods, but there is a solid foundation of eating strategies that help lower blood pressure and/or keep it within healthful ranges.

Blood Pressure Categories:

Systolic              Diastolic

Normal            <120                                                 <80

                                                  Pre-hypertension           120-139                                   80-89

                                                  Hypertension                 >140                                              >90

Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke in the United States, and it contributes to thousands of heart attacks. Your heart muscle becomes overworked, leading directly to heart failure. It can damage your kidneys, erode your eyesight, interfere with your memory and physical activity, and take years off of your life expectancy. 

Ready for your first line of defense?  Your diet!  Ten tips!