High blood pressure affects millions of people worldwide. If left unmanaged, it can lead to hypertension. US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorises people with hypertension as those who have a blood pressure of more than 130/80 mm Hg, while the normal rate is 120/80 mm Hg. Therefore, it advises hypertension patients to follow this one rule while eating, that is, to eat very carefully. It is because there are certain foods that can elevate their blood pressure and thus, put an enormous strain on their heart.Careful Measures For People While Eating, As Per ExpertsDr Amir Khan, a well-known US NHS doctor, has shared straightforward and practical ways that people can take control of their blood pressure from the comfort of their own homes. Taking to social media, he shared the following tips focussing on simple lifestyle adjustments that can have a significant positive impact on blood pressure levels without necessarily requiring immediate medication. Cut Down on Salt Drastically reduce your daily salt intake to no more than one teaspoon (six grams). Be mindful of hidden salt in processed foods and flavor meals with herbs and spices instead of salt. Choose tinned food in water and unsalted nuts. Eat Potassium-Rich Foods Increase your consumption of foods high in potassium, such as bananas, tomatoes, and carrots. Potassium helps to balance the effects of sodium in your body and can contribute to lower blood pressure readings. Get Active and Maintain Healthy Weight Engage in regular physical activity, like brisk walking or cycling, to strengthen your heart. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight also reduces the strain on your heart and blood vessels, helping to manage blood pressure. Stop Smoking Quitting smoking is crucial as it damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure, significantly increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Avoiding smoking is a vital step for cardiovascular health. Moderate Alcohol Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a rise in blood pressure over time. Adhering to recommended guidelines for alcohol intake is important for blood pressure management. Ignoring persistently high blood pressure can lead to a cascade of serious and even life-threatening health problems down the line. When your blood pressure stays too high for too long, it puts extra strain on your heart, blood vessels, and other vital organs. This can significantly increase your risk of experiencing things like heart attacks and strokes, where the blood supply to the heart or brain is blocked. It can also lead to heart failure, where the heart can't pump blood effectively, and kidney disease, where the kidneys can become damaged and unable to filter waste properly. Taking steps to manage high blood pressure is therefore crucial for protecting your long-term health and well-being.One concerning thing about high blood pressure is that it is similar to cholesterol, it does not have any obvious symptoms. While you can monitor with at-home devices, one must take proactive steps to ensure they are not going overboard. Unchecked high blood pressure can have big consequences for your health. The National Health Services England explains that reading of 140 over 90 (written as 140/90 mmHg) or higher when taken at a pharmacy, a doctor's office, or a clinic indicates high blood pressure. However, at home, a reading of about 135/80 mm Hg or higher is considered high.