Читать книгу DASH Diet For Dummies - Sarah Samaan - Страница 40

Hypertension can lead to a number of cardiovascular ailments, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm disorders, and stroke. (We tell you more about these surprisingly common conditions in Chapter 6.) Hypertension is also a leading cause of kidney failure and can contribute to dementia and eye disease.

Because it usually causes no symptoms until one of these serious conditions develop, hypertension is often known as the “silent killer.” The tragedy is that high blood pressure is easily diagnosed and can usually be effectively treated. Even better, it can often be prevented.

The DASH diet was created specifically to test the effects of a dietary pattern that includes a variety of foods known to help lower blood pressure. In fact, it was one of the first mainstream attempts to test the potential of what is now known as functional medicine. Although DASH has other very beneficial effects on your health and well-being, it was born to prevent or reduce hypertension. The following sections break down exactly why blood pressure concerns are relevant for everyone and how adopting a DASH lifestyle can help alleviate those concerns.