Hypertension, or high blood pressure, refers to the amount of pressure built up against your artery walls. Over time, hypertension may cause significant blood vessel damage, which often leads to heart disease, kidney disease, or stroke. It’s considered a silent killer for a reason. While more people suffer from high blood pressure today than ever before, we now have viable treatment options available. If you’re against medication, there are healthy diet plans designed to improve hypertension.
Eating Right
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 75 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure. There are numerous risk factors for hypertension, including age, family history, gender, and race. Of course, such factors are often out of our control.
There are factors you can control, however. These include exercise and diet. Eating right and visiting the gym on a regular basis can help prolong your life and improve your heart health. In fact, eating a healthier diet has been found to decrease blood pressure overall.
Foods to Consume
When planning a new, heart-healthy diet, there are a few foods you should never skimp on. These foods tend to be green or colorful (fruits and vegetables). Some foods to include are:
- Leafy Greens – Romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, swiss chard, and collard greens
- Berries – Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
- Skim Milk and Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Bananas
- Salmon or Mackerel – Any fish with omega-3s
- Seeds – Sunflower, pumpkin, or squash
- Garlic and herbs
- Dark Chocolate
- Pistachios
If you include even just a few of these items in your daily meals, you’ll notice a profound effect on your heart health. To further improve blood pressure, be sure to visit your doctor on a regular basis for check-ups.
Contact Us
To schedule a consultation regarding high blood pressure, contact Brookhaven Heart at 631-654-3278. We’re awaiting your call today!
