Numerous studies link excessive weight to high blood pressure.
But losing excess weight can reverse this problem and can eliminate the need for blood pressure lowering medications. The extra fluid volume requires the heart to work harder and causes blood pressure to rise. Normally the body can excrete excessive sodium in the urine relatively quickly, but for reasons that are not completely clear, people with an inherited tendency for high blood pressure tend to retain this element. Cutting down on the amount of salt you add to your food, both at the table and in cooking, is the best way to begin limiting salt consumption. Other nutrients that seem to exert an influence on blood pressure include potassium and calcium.