Limit salt

Sodium intake needs to be decreased in order to lower blood pressure. Most people consume too much salt—on average 9–12 grams per day, or around twice the recommended maximum level of intake. Blood pressure increases dramatically as a result of this.

Most people consume too much salt—on average 9–12 grams per day, or around twice the recommended maximum level of intake. The American Heart Association (AHA) advises keeping your daily sodium intake between 1,500 mg and 2,300 mg, or a little more than half a teaspoon of table salt. Adults who consume less than 5g of salt per day had lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Cutting less on salt has many benefits, but the main one is a decrease in high blood pressure. Try substituting herbs and spices for salt when flavoring food to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. The salt content in processed foods is another common problem. Always read the food labels, and whenever possible, choose low-sodium substitutes.