High Blood Pressure Solutions

My mother's blood pressure is at around 140 and it's been bothering me a lot... I'm afraid something bad may happen.

Does anyone know of any good high blood pressure lowering foods that are relatively low calorie?

She doesn't want to take medicine for high blood pressure... since she's afraid of being dependent.

Help please?

Diet and exercise may help lower blood pressure. However, she should be under a doctor's care if she has high blood pressure so he can monitor the pressure. Try the Heart Association Dash Diet. High blood pressure can lead to much worse results than being dependent on medicines.

As someone who has dealt with blood pressure issues myself (during pregnancy), I can say that there are a few things your mother could do to ASSIST in maintaining healthy blood pressure. However, there really is no miracle substitute for a doctor's care in this case, unfortunately.

At risk of stating the obvious, I would recommend a diet *very* low in sodium, lots of fresh water, and a healthy exercise routine.  Maintaining a healthy weight (and a healthy lifestyle) will help keep blood pressure low, but usually one does need some sort of assistance at some point.  I can understand not wanting to feel dependant on medications for the rest of one's life - your mother's blood pressure is low enough that she may be able to use diuretics instead of full-blown blood pressure meds. Have her ask her doctor about something like Hydrochlorathyazide (a common diuretic, often used for HBP).  That just might be all she needs :)