- High blood pressure is now defined as 130/80 and higher.
- A diet rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber can help.
- Free screenings are available throughout our region.
Do you have high blood pressure?
If so, you have a lot of company.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that an estimated 120 million U.S. adults now have high blood pressure.
That is almost half of all U.S. adults.
High blood pressure is defined as 130/80 mm Hg and higher, according to guidelines by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.
The higher number measures your systolic blood pressure and the lower number measures the diastolic.
Why does it matter?
High blood pressure greatly increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the country’s leading killers.
It’s also often called “the silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms.
Risk factors include:
- Age
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress
- Family history
- Not being physically active
Natural Solutions
Given the statistics, it’s good news that eating the right foods can help us naturally control our blood pressure.
Aside from the cost of blood pressure medications, there are also potential side effects.
So, which foods to look for?
“You should seek out foods that are high in fiber, potassium and magnesium," said Jessica Whiting, D.O., a Carilion Clinic Family Medicine physician.
They include:
- Tomatoes
- Sweet and white potatoes
- Oranges
- Green leafy vegetables
- Bananas
- Apricots
- Dates
- Avocados
- Nuts and seeds
- Low-fat dairy products
- Whole-grain cereals
- High-fiber pastas and rice
The DASH Diet
But while eating a serving or two a day from the list may make you feel virtuous, you need a more systematic approach to really see results.
That’s where the DASH diet comes in.
"The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or the DASH diet, is a high-protein, high-fiber and low-fat eating plan that helps people lower their blood pressure," said Dr. Whiting.
The diet calls for eating these foods daily:
- Eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables
- Two to three servings of low-fat dairy products
- Six to eight servings of high-fiber grains
- Lots of fish and poultry
“Many people have reduced their blood pressure by a few points after following the DASH diet for several weeks," Dr. Whiting noted. "If you follow the diet over the long-term, you can have an even more significant reduction in your blood pressure: as much as 14 points.
The diet is also low in saturated fats and sugar and limits sodium intake to 1,500 to 2,300 mg daily.
One caveat: It isn’t appropriate if you have kidney disease.
People with kidney, or renal disease, need to limit their potassium because their kidneys can no longer filter this mineral from the blood.
That said, many people have used the diet, along with lifestyle changes like losing weight and exercising, to get healthier. Many of them were also able to discontinue their blood pressure medications.
Need more inspiration? Introducing the DASH diet at home will improve your family’s health!
If you're concerned about your blood pressure, talk to your family doctor.
