Pressure..

 

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is one of several key risk factors for heart disease—the leading cause of death in the U.S.

And even more shocking, almost half of U.S. adults have hypertension. It’s usually tough to detect on your own as there aren’t many noticeable signs or symptoms. Measuring your blood pressure with a monitor is the best way to learn if you’re within a healthy range. 

The good news is that blood pressure can be managed through lifestyle changes like reducing stress, staying active, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet. 

As far as diet goes, the American Heart Association recommends eating primarily plant-based foods, low-fat dairy, skinless poultry and fish and non-tropical vegetable oils. 

They suggest limiting saturated and trans fats, alcohol, sodium  [SALT], fatty meats and added sugars.

That said, certain foods have key nutrients or unique properties that expand blood vessels and lower blood pressure.