If left untreated, high-blood pressure can turn dangerous.

High-blood pressure, hypertension…

It goes by many names.

Whichever term your doctor uses, it’s definitely something you don’t want to hear.

Blood pressure is a measure of how much pressure your blood is exerting on your arteries.

There are natural rises and falls in pressure throughout the day, and that’s normal!

Whenblood pressure becomes too highand consistently out of the norm, that’s what we call hypertension.

High-blood pressure increases risk for heart disease, heart attack and associated cardiovascular symptoms like chest pain.

It also increases risk for kidney disease, stroke and impaired cognitive function.

Here are the top dietitian-approved foods to eat more of for better blood pressure.

Here are some top picks:

1.

Intake of this heart healthy fat is associated with lower blood pressure and decreased risk of heart disease.

The next time you’re out to dinner, consider the salmon.

Berries are beautiful inside and out, asanthocyaninsincrease nitric oxide, which has vasodilation effects.

They also are involved in calcium channel blocking, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation.

Vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation both aid in lowering blood pressure.

Beans and legumes

The fiber, glycemic index andisoflavonesinbeans and legumesgive you good reason to up your intake.

Add them to salads, soups, and dinners as increased intakeis associated with healthy blood pressure levels.

Get Recipes:Healthy Bean Recipes

6.

So add somechia,flaxor pumpkin seeds to snack time or your morning bowl of oatmeal.

Spinach

Another great source of nitrates, potassium, magnesium, calcium and antioxidants isspinach.

It’s safe to say that Popeye probably didn’t have any issues with his blood pressure levels.