Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, the vessels that carry blood away from the heart. It is normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate during the day. When it stays high, you have high blood pressure, or hypertension. This increased pressure puts a strain on your heart that could lead to a heart attack. It also affects other organs in the body like the kidneys and brain. There are literally hundreds of prescription medications for treating blood pressure but certain lifestyle changes can also have beneficial effects on blood pressure.
According to The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, over 90% of Americans have or will have hypertension in their lifetime. When blood pressure reaches 115 over 75, the damage to the body has just begun. For every 20 over 10 increase, the damage actually doubles. According to a national survey, 70% of Americans are aware of their high blood pressure, 59% are being treated, and 34% have it under control.
Eating foods that are low in saturated fats, low in total fat, and low in cholesterol can reduce blood pressure. A well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean...