Reducing the Risk of Hypertension

There are many effective ways to reduce the risk of getting high blood pressure. These include reducing body weight, salt, high-fat and alcohol consumption, being more active and eating more vegetables and fruit. One of the most effective ways to prevent the increase of blood pressure over time is to reduce dietary sodium intake. This can be done by consuming less commercially prepared foods, choosing foods with low sodium content and asking for less salt to be added to the food in restaurants. Low sodium diets are most effective when they are combined with other health eating diets such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.

• Effective ways for reducing high blood pressure