Are there certain foods that can help to lower high blood pressure?
Lifestyle changes can help you control and prevent high blood pressure — even if you’re taking blood pressure medication. Here’s what you can do: * Eat healthy foods. Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. Get plenty of potassium, which can help prevent and control high blood pressure. Eat less saturated fat and total fat. Limit the amount of sodium in your diet. Although 2,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day is the current limit for otherwise healthy adults, limiting sodium intake to 1,500 mg a day will have a more dramatic effect on your blood pressure. * Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, losing even 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure. * Increase physical activity. Regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure and keep your weight under control. Strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. * Limit alcohol. Even if you’re healthy, alcohol can
