What should hypertensive patients eat

If your blood pressure increases by 5 to 10 mm Hg , you may be sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of caffeine.

Talk to your doctor about the effects of caffeine on your blood pressure. Chronic stress may contribute to high blood pressure. More research is needed to determine the effects of chronic stress on blood pressure. Occasional stress also can contribute to high blood pressure if you react to stress by eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol or smoking. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness.

Once you know what's causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress. If you can't eliminate all of your stressors, you can at least cope with them in a healthier way. Try to:. Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure, make certain your lifestyle changes are working, and alert you and your doctor to potential health complications. Blood pressure monitors are available widely and without a prescription. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring before you get started.

Regular visits with your doctor are also key to controlling your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is well-controlled, check with your doctor about how often you need to check it.

Your doctor may suggest checking it daily or less often. If you're making any changes in your medications or other treatments, your doctor may recommend you check your blood pressure starting two weeks after treatment changes and a week before your next appointment.

Supportive family and friends can help improve your health. They may encourage you to take care of yourself, drive you to the doctor's office or embark on an exercise program with you to keep your blood pressure low. If you find you need support beyond your family and friends, consider joining a support group. This may put you in touch with people who can give you an emotional or morale boost and who can offer practical tips to cope with your condition.

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Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Johnson RJ. Nonpharmacologic prevention and treatment of hypertension. In: Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. Philadelphia, Pa. Department of Health and Human Services and U.

Department of Agriculture. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rakel D, ed. The DASH diet. In: Integrative Medicine. Elsevier; Accessed April 4, Sodium in your diet: Use the Nutrition Facts label and reduce your intake. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed April 9, Shaking the salt habit. American Heart Association.

Tips to reduce salt and sodium. Accessed May 7, See also Mediterranean diet Butter or margarine: Which is healthier? Butter vs.

Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health? Gluten sensitivity and psoriasis: What's the connection? High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking.

The Eatwell Guide highlights the different types of food that make up our diet, and shows the proportions we should eat them in to have a well-balanced and healthy diet. Salt raises your blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. Aim to eat less than 6g 0. Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure. Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:.

Find out how many units are in your favourite drink and get tips on cutting down. Alcohol is also high in calories, which will make you gain weight and can further increase your blood pressure. In people with high blood pressure, every 0.

One cup grams of Swiss chard packs mg of this important nutrient Magnesium is also essential for blood pressure regulation. It helps reduce blood pressure through several mechanisms, including by acting as a natural calcium channel blocker, which blocks the movement of calcium into heart and arterial cells, allowing blood vessels to relax Pumpkin seeds may be small, but they pack a punch when it comes to nutrition.

Pumpkin seed oil has also been shown to be a powerful natural remedy for high blood pressure. A study in 23 women found that supplementing with 3 grams of pumpkin seed oil per day for 6 weeks led to significant reductions in SBP, compared with a placebo group Beans and lentils are rich in nutrients that help regulate blood pressure, such as fiber, magnesium, and potassium.

Numerous studies have shown that eating beans and lentils may help lower high blood pressure levels. A review of 8 studies that included people indicated that, when exchanged for other foods, beans and lentils significantly lowered SBP and average blood pressure levels in people with and without hypertension Berries have been associated with a variety of impressive health benefits , including their potential to reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure.

Berries are a rich source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which are pigments that give berries their vibrant color. Anthocyanins have been shown to increase nitric oxide levels in the blood and reduce the production of blood-vessel-restricting molecules, which may help reduce blood pressure levels. However, more research in humans is needed to confirm these potential mechanisms Blueberries, raspberries, chokeberries , cloudberries, and strawberries are just some of the berries that have been associated with blood-pressure-lowering effects Eating whole grains like amaranth may help lower your blood pressure levels.

Studies show that diets rich in whole grains may decrease your risk of high blood pressure. Pistachios are highly nutritious, and their consumption has been linked to healthy blood pressure levels. A review of 21 studies found that among all the nuts included in the review, pistachio intake had the strongest effect on reducing both SBP and DBP Carrots are high in phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic, p -coumaric, and caffeic acids, that help relax blood vessels and reduce inflammation , which may help lower blood pressure levels Although carrots can be enjoyed cooked or raw, eating them raw may be more beneficial for reducing high blood pressure.

A study that included 2, people ages 40—59 found that raw carrot intake was significantly associated with lower blood pressure levels Another small study in 17 people demonstrated that daily intake of 16 ounces mL of fresh carrot juice for 3 months led to reductions in SBP but not DBP Celery is a popular vegetable that may have positive effects on blood pressure.