What not to Eat for Hypertension

摘要

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure, and are taking medication to help combat it. Even though it affects such a large population, only about 24% have their hypertension condition under control. Many assume that medication is the only solution in helping combat high blood pressure. However, there are other common lifestyle factors that drastically can affect blood pressure levels, especially diet. "What you eat, and don't eat, has a strong influence on your blood pressure," says certified clinical nutritionist Vikki Petersen. 'Your blood pressure is not only a monitor of your cardiovascular health and risk of stroke but your kidney and brain function." Here are Petersen's top four worst foods for hypertension: 1. Salt, or sodium, is everyone's top of mind culprit for causing high blood pressure. Excess salt pulls water into your blood vessels to help balance the excess sodium, and the result is increased blood volume, which in turn increases blood pressure.