High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects more than one in four adults in the UK, but many won’t realise they have it.
Symptoms are rarely noticeable, but it’s important to have it checked to avoid serious complications.
The causes of high blood pressure are not certain, but there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Exercise is recommended to help lower blood pressure, alongside cutting out certain foods from your diet and eating more of others.
One study found a diet with one serving of pistachios a day can help reduce blood pressure.
The research published on NCBI said pistachios are a healthy way to decrease blood pressure by reducing peripheral vascular resistance, or blood vessel tightening, and heart rate.
Healthline suggests you can incorporate pistachios into your diet by adding them to crusts, pesto sauces, and salads, or by eating them plain as a snack.
Eating more bananas could also lower your risk of high blood pressure.
Bananas are packed full of potassium, which regulates circulation and the amount of sodium in the body.
Nutritionist Dr Josh Axe said: “Bananas are one of the richest sources of potassium in the world, with about 500mg of potassium per banana.
“Potassium is useful in preventing high blood pressure and decreases the risks for heart disease and strokes.
“Potassium helps to lower high blood pressure because it counteracts the effect of sodium within the blood.”
Because symptoms go undetected the only sure way to find out if you have it is to have your blood pressure checked.
If high blood pressure goes undetected, it can quietly damage your body for years.
Left uncontrolled, you may end up with a disability, a poor quality of life or even a fatal heart attacks.
Here are four ways undetected high blood pressure can damage your body, according to Mayo Clinic.
