Posted on April 13, 2020 by Show 434 If you have high blood pressure, you probably already know you have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, blood pressure levels aren’t set in stone, even if you’re genetically predisposed (meaning hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, runs in your family). In fact, blood pressure is one heart disease marker that’s thankfully flexible, according to Darlene Zimmerman, a registered dietitian with the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute. Healthy Eating For A Healthy HeartWhat you eat, how much you exercise and how much stress you have in your life all combine to determine whether your blood pressure levels fall or rise. And while you can’t munch on certain foods and expect your blood pressure to drop (celery, anyone?), you can follow specific eating patterns that are proven to help stop hypertension. “Most nutrition research today points toward specific eating patterns that lower blood pressure rather than individual foods,” says Zimmerman, who cites the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet as an example. In fact, her six recommendations for a blood pressure-friendly diet are all key players in the DASH diet:
Still having trouble reducing your blood pressure? Don’t hesitate to recruit your doctor or a registered dietitian for assistance. Sometimes medication is necessary to help nudge levels downward. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you need a stronger weapon in your arsenal. How healthy is your heart? Take the heart risk quiz now. Then, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or find a heart expert at henryford.com or by calling 1-800-HENRYFORD (436-7936). Darlene Zimmerman is a registered dietitian at the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute and the author of the Heart Smart Cookbook, now in its third edition with more than 100,000 copies sold nationwide. Heart Smart® is a registered trademark of the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute at Henry Ford Hospital. Can I eat rice with high blood pressure?Research shows that eating a diet rich in whole grains (such as quinoa and other ancient grains, oatmeal and brown rice) helps fend off high blood pressure.
Can white rice increase BP?If you have hypertension and are a fan of rice — in your favorite sushi, burritos, rice bowls and more — you may be wondering how it affects your blood pressure. While there's no direct evidence white rice raises blood pressure, whole grains like brown rice are the better choice for heart health.
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