High blood pressure: a force to be reckoned with

It's National High Blood Pressure Education Month, so there's no better time to raise awareness about preventing and controlling high blood pressure (also called "hypertension").

And with one-third of American adults living with the condition -- most of whom don't even know it -- the pressure is on to get their numbers down (no pun intended).

The reason is simple. Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls, and it's what moves blood through the body.

But when that force gets too high, the heart has to work harder to overcome resistance, which hardens artery walls. And that can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke.

Many people know one way to lower blood pressure is by limiting their intake of salty and high-fat foods. But more can be done.

My colleague Janelle and I buzzed Dr. Boyd Lyles earlier this week, and learned more techniques to lower blood pressure, and prevent it from building in the first place.

Dr. Lyles tells all in the podcast, so listen, learn, and lower your numbers!