High blood pressure affects one in four adults. Those are tough odds to beat, especially if you are predisposed to it due to a hereditary trait. There are ways to avoid getting this dangerous condition, even if your entire family has been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor before taking any medications or beginning any drastic diet changes.

Diet is one of the most effective ways that a person can control their hereditary high blood pressure. Choosing to eat healthy foods can literally be a choice between life and death for many people. Cutting back on salt is a key factor in avoiding high blood pressure. If you can completely cut out salt from your diet, you will be better off. There are a number of salt substitutes that can be used in place of table salt. Using herbs and spices to flavor food is not only healthy, but many herbs help lower the blood pressure naturally. It is also a good idea to limit or cut out alcohol all together. A glass of red wine occasionally is considered safe.

A diet high in garlic not only sounds tasty, it is very beneficial to your heart health. If you are not a big fan of garlic breath, you can take garlic supplements that are odorless. A potassium supplement is also beneficial to your cardiovascular health. If you eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables you will not need a supplement at all. The magnesium found in leafy green vegetables is very healthy for you, but it is not recommended to take a magnesium supplement. Simply eating a healthy green salad daily can give you the magnesium you need.

Plenty of exercise is needed to keep the heart strong. Your heart will not need to pump as hard if it is in good condition. It needs a good daily workout to keep it strong. This does not mean a person has to run five miles a day, but just some sort of physical activity to get the blood really pumping.

Along with diet and exercise, maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your chances of having high blood pressure. People who are overweight are much more likely to have high blood pressure, along with several other dangerous conditions. Eating a healthy balanced diet, and getting regular exercise can help a person lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

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