Hypertension is one of the common health issues across the globe. Through the years, the number of people, and the younger the age group of population that gets affected by this condition gets even more alarming. If you ask around whether they or anyone from their family have any history of hypertension, chances are most, if not all would say yes. That's how universal this health condition is. And if left untreated, or if without any change in one's diet and lifestyle, it poses greater health risks to an individual predisposed to and those who are currently suffering from it. One's body can get damaged over the years that might lead to a poor life condition in the future. Here's a list of possible damages hypertension can do to your body:

• Arteries: arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis, aneurysm
  
• Heart: coronary artery disease, enlarged left heart, heart failure
  
• Brain: transient ischemic attack (TIA) aka mini stroke, stroke, dementia, mild cognitive impairment,
  
• Kidneys: kidney failure, kidney scarring, kidney artery aneurysm
  
• Eyes: eye blood vessel damage, fluid buildup under the retina
  
• Other possible effects of hypertension: sexual dysfunction, bone loss, trouble sleeping.
  
  
  
  In order to prevent hypertension, let's take a look at one of its major risk factors, high blood cholesterol. Cholesterol can build up on arteries; make it non-elastic and block blood flow, thus increasing blood pressure. Thus, it is important to keep your blood cholesterol at par. And one way to do it is by consuming foods that help lower cholesterol
  . Some herbs and spices are known to lower blood cholesterol levels. For ages, herbs are often used for culinary, spiritual, and medicinal purposes. For cures or remedy, different parts of the herb are used like leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, and the like. Now here's a short list of foods that help lower cholesterol:
  
• Alfalfa may block absorption of cholesterol, thus preventing arterial plaques.
  
• Capsicum fruit helps blood circulation, preventing build up of toxins.
  
• Garlic bulb has anti clotting effect, lowers serum cholesterol and increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL), aka good cholesterol.
  
• Psyllium as per studies lowers serum cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
  
• Red yeast rice helps lower cholesterol with its "monacolin K" content, inhibiting liver enzymes dealing with cholesterol manufacturing.
  
  
  
  
  Other than adding these to your diet, it is of importance that one lives a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle doesn't stop at not consuming what the doctor tells you not to eat. It is a combination of proper diet; good exercise, having enough rest, and recreation. Proper diet ensures that we are getting the right nutrients, especially foods that help lower cholesterol
  , for our body to function well, fight off illness, etc. Good exercise makes sure that our physique is well maintained, toxins released through sweat, and our heart pumping the well-oxygenated and nutrient dense blood through our body. Rest will help our body to recuperate and repair itself. And lastly, recreation will make sure that a sound and healthy mind is in control of our healthy body.