What can help lower blood pressure?
Diet and lifestyle changes can be made to lower blood pressure. Before drugs are prescribed, these are often recommended for people with mildly elevated blood pressure. The American Heart Association Nutrition Committee says that to maximize the beneficial effects of a healthy diet on blood pressure: Don’t eat a lot of sodium (salt) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and non/low-fat dairy products. Exercise Such diets are rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium and protein and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Some people with mildly high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure by reducing sodium (salt) in their diet. This means avoiding salty foods and cutting down on salt in cooking and at the table. Drinking too much raises blood pressure in some people and should be restricted. Alcoholic drinks are high in non-nutritious calories, so if you’re trying to lose weight, don’t drink alcohol.
