High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition in which the long-term force of blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. It can be a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney failure, and blindness. The good news is that high blood pressure can often be prevented or controlled with healthy lifestyle changes.
There are many things you can do to help lower your blood pressure, including eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol. The American Heart Association recommends eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol. They also recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.