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Hypertension Cookbook
(American Medical Association)
Meredith Books
ISBN 0-696-22443-7
Published January 2005 - Softcover - 144 pages - $19.95

Living with hypertension (high blood pressure) myself, I know that diet has a lot to do with managing it, but it's not that easy to always think about the things you eat.  Now, with this book to help me, I can make a concerted effort to eat properly.  It's by the American Medical Association and they recommend these recipes, "...which are delicious and easy to prepare", and "...have been developed using guidelines established specifically to help you and your family fight hypertension".  Salt has long been known as one of the culprits for raising blood pressure, so you need to lower your salt intake, for one thing.  Exercise and lose weight, if necessary, for another. The recipes in this book are low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruit, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.  We have Starters, Soups & Salads (Roasted Asparagus & Leeks, Butternut Squash Soup); Main Dishes (Grilled Lemon Trout; Chicken Provençal; Pork Tenderloin with Apple-Sage Stuffing, and Spaghetti with Tomatoes & Shrimp); Side Dishes (Creamy Swiss Chard, Thyme-Scented Mushrooms), and Desserts & Snacks (Pineapple & Mango with Lime) - who says you've got to eat "diet" food!  All sounds yummy.
My hypertension is hereditary, I think.  Keep an eye on your blood pressure as it could lead to a heart attack or stroke if it goes undiagnosed.  Healthy=below 120/80; Prehypertension=120-139/80-89; Hypertension=140/90 or higher.  All my adult life my BP was 120/80.  When I felt overwhelmed and flustered and had a "full" feeling in my neck, my BP was 175/105 (scary!) - I headed off to the doctor the very next day.  A few days later, on medication, my BP was back to almost normal.  Check your BP regularly for free at some pharmacies and some supermarkets.  Keep tabs on it.
Nutritional guides given and beautifully illustrated.  Helpful fat and sodium counts per recipe.
Conclusion - Vital information for anyone with high blood pressure - easy to understand too.