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6 Fabulous Foods to Fight High Blood Pressure

The good news: They're some of your favorites

by: Candy Sagon | from: AARP Bulletin | Updated February 2012

Six foods that lower high blood pressure.

Six foods that help to lower high blood pressure. — 1: Anita Calero/trunkarchive.com; 2: Coppi Barbieri/trunkarchive.com; 3: Anita Calero/trunkarchive.com; 4: Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images; 5: Travis Rathbone/trunkarchive.com; 6: Getty Images

En español | New science is changing the way people 50 and older judge their blood pressure, and a slew of new studies on foods and hypertension suggest it may be easier than you thought to reduce high blood pressure.

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For adults under 65, it's that upper number in your blood pressure reading that may be the best indicator of future heart problems or even premature death. A normal reading is around 120/80. If that first number is 140 or higher, you have reason for concern.

For those 65 and older, however, it's a trickier situation. Readings may vary more and doctors need to be careful in prescribing blood pressure medication for older patients.

One safe, effective way to decrease blood pressure for all age groups is to eat foods that work naturally to dilate blood vessels so the heart doesn't have to work so hard.

Eat more of these six fabulous foods for an easy, delicious way to help lower your blood pressure numbers.

Next: Food No. 1: Berries can protect against hypertension. >>