World Hypertension Day is May 17th. The Day has been established to highlight the preventable stroke, heart and kidney diseases caused by high blood pressure and to communicate to the public information on prevention, detection and treatment. What is Hypertension? Hypertension is most commonly known as High Blood Pressure. It is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated. Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Most of the time, there are no symptoms, but when high blood pressure goes untreated, it damages arteries and vital organs throughout the body. That’s why high blood pressure is often called the “silent killer”.

The Mediterranean Diet

Some Dietetic recommendations to reduce hypertension include:

• Increase consumption of Fruit and vegetables
• Drink milk and low-fat milk derivatives
• Limit red meat consumption and replace with poultry or fish
• Eat whole-grain bread, cereal and rice
• Eat nuts 3-7 days a week
• Reduce salt intake by seasoning dishes with herbs, spices, lemon, vinegar, garlic and onion
• Limit consumption of caffeinated beverages
• Dress dishes and cook with Olive Oil
• Exercise 

In a study posted on the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition it was written, "Olive oil intake per se may be as important as fruit and vegetable intakes in the apparent beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet in the context of arterial blood pressure control." The Mediterranean Diet serves as a great example for people watching their blood pressure.

For more information on Hypertension you can visit The International Society of Hypertension.  (http://www.ish-world.com/default.aspx?WorldHypertensionDay).