Over 1/3 of adults globally suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). Clinic visits, medications, and the treatment of complications associated with hypertension, such as heart failure, stroke, and renal disease, now constitute a significant portion of healthcare budgets worldwide.Â
High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure exceeding 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure exceeding 80 mmHg, or individuals taking medication for hypertension. The ideal blood pressure range is approximately 115/75 mmHg, where the risk of heart attack and stroke-related deaths due to blood pressure is almost negligible.Â
Although drugs that lower blood pressure effectively reduce pressures, they do not address the underlying cause of the problem. Furthermore, all medications may have some unintended or unwanted side effects. However, achieving such low blood pressure levels without medication is not only possible but also normal for individuals adopting a healthy lifestyle including a whole food, plant-based diet.
