Preventing High Blood Pressure

The same healthy lifestyle behaviours we are discussing for heart protection have been shown to prevent high blood pressure from developing, and also lower blood pressure in those already diagnosed with high blood pressure.

These include: consuming a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting sodium intake in the diet, the DASH diet, being smoke-free, limiting alcohol intake, being physical active, and maintaining a healthy weight.

In women with a history of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, being overweight or obese has been shown to be an important risk factor for developing long-standing hypertension after the pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy weight is very important in preventing the development of long-standing high blood pressure.