Blood Pressure Information: Diet, Sodium & Medication

Why does sodium increase blood pressure? Maintaining healthy levels requires understanding dietary impacts from meat, turmeric, and supplements like niacin.

What Factors Influence Blood Pressure?

Published Aug,14 2017 | By Janet Renee, MS, RD

Blood pressure refers to force against artery walls when your heart circulates blood throughout your body. A normal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80 and high blood pressure is 140 over 90 or above. The first number represents the pressure against your artery walls when your heart beats.

Janet Renee is a clinical dietitian with a special interest in weight management, sports dietetics, medical nutrition therapy and diet trends. She earned her Master of Science in nutrition from the University of Chicago and has contributed to health and wellness magazines, including Prevention, Self, Shape and Cooking Light.