Dr. White's advice to prevent high blood pressure is eating right
»Play Video
MOSCOW, ID - These days, there's a lot of talk about high blood pressure, and the health risks that go along with it.
Luckily, doctors say it's an easy thing to prevent. Hypertension can be a frightening term, especially if you know what it means.
"Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure," said Gritman Medical Center Hospitalist Dr. Kama White. "And it just means that you have higher pressure than normal in your bloodstream. It's a risk factor for heart disease, which is the biggest killer in the United States."
Doctor Kama White works at Gritman Medical Center, and she's been treating patients on the Palouse for over seven years.
"I certainly see a lot of patients with high blood pressure, as well as the consequences of high blood pressure, like heart attack and stroke," said White.
She said that when it comes to prevention, her advice is eating right.
"High salt diets are associated with increased blood pressure, high alcohol diets are also associated with that," said White. "More than one drink a day for women, or two drinks a day for men."
Having a healthy diet is one of the main things that can help prevent high blood pressure.
"Eat a good healthy diet, one that's rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and legumes," said White.
Some data suggests that foods high in magnesium and potassium help lower blood pressure, but as Doctor White says, if you follow your mother's advice, you'll probably be all right.
"Common sense advice is the best," said White. "Which is what your mother probably told you, which is to eat your vegetables, especially the ones that are high in fiber and low in fat, and get regular exercise."
Gritman Medical Center will be hosting a presentation on how foods affect blood pressure Friday from noon to 1:00. It's a free event, and healthy snacks will be served.
Luckily, doctors say it's an easy thing to prevent. Hypertension can be a frightening term, especially if you know what it means.
"Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure," said Gritman Medical Center Hospitalist Dr. Kama White. "And it just means that you have higher pressure than normal in your bloodstream. It's a risk factor for heart disease, which is the biggest killer in the United States."
Doctor Kama White works at Gritman Medical Center, and she's been treating patients on the Palouse for over seven years.
"I certainly see a lot of patients with high blood pressure, as well as the consequences of high blood pressure, like heart attack and stroke," said White.
She said that when it comes to prevention, her advice is eating right.
"High salt diets are associated with increased blood pressure, high alcohol diets are also associated with that," said White. "More than one drink a day for women, or two drinks a day for men."
Having a healthy diet is one of the main things that can help prevent high blood pressure.
"Eat a good healthy diet, one that's rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and legumes," said White.
Some data suggests that foods high in magnesium and potassium help lower blood pressure, but as Doctor White says, if you follow your mother's advice, you'll probably be all right.
"Common sense advice is the best," said White. "Which is what your mother probably told you, which is to eat your vegetables, especially the ones that are high in fiber and low in fat, and get regular exercise."
Gritman Medical Center will be hosting a presentation on how foods affect blood pressure Friday from noon to 1:00. It's a free event, and healthy snacks will be served.
