“Can a healthy diet fix high blood pressure?”

Not unless its mildly elevated. The only 2 diets the ACC/AHA promote as heart healthy are the Mediterranean and DASH diets. They are very similar but DASH is low sodium for patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) . Its hard for patients to change their lifestyle and eating the average American diet is high is salt, fat and carbs. But if the DASH diet is followed religiously then the cardiovascular system is protected from future atherosclerosis and coronary events. These 2 diets have shown positive morbidity and mortality benefits over the long haul. The diet can lower blood pressure approximately 10 mmhg. The diet combined With moderate intensity exercise for 30 minutes 4-5 x week ( walkers do better than runners) and weight loss ( if overweight or obese) will improve that to 15-20mmhg. But thats following a strict regimen and significant changes in habits. Also we cant for get smoking cessation. That also lowers BP. So if all those modifications of lifestyle are adopted and stuck with day in and day out , its possible to avoid medication. Possible, not likely. But the medication I use for blood pressure also has cardiac benefits (beta blockers, acei, arbs) . Regardless of whether bp reaches a goal of less 120/80, the cv system benefits from those lifestyle changes. Its better to do the lifestyle changes and medication to reach the goal of BP, than to worry about needing to take medication. Cardiac meds have shown cv benefits in 100s of randomized trials in hundreds of thousands of patients. I wouldnt hesitate to prescribe these medications if necessary. I have high bp and take some of these myself. The benefits of controlling BP by all means is vital. Even mildly elevated BP can cause increased strokes, heart attacks and heart failure later in life. So think first of getting to the goal BP, and use a holistic approach. Diet, exercise, weight loss if needed, and smoking cessation for those who smoke. Then meds if needed. In my experience most patients would rather medication rather than strict wholesale lifestyle changes. But if you can do it the benefits go beyond just blood pressure control. Sometimes , no matter how stringent the diet and exercise, meds will be needed. Genetics play a large role. And race (blacks have higher bp and younger ages), stress levels and other meds (ibuprofen, steroids) . Dont forget alcohol. Binge drinking on weekends raises BP for 2-3 days after. 1-2 glasses red wine are ok. The beer and harder liquor have no benefits and harm in other ways ( bp, sugar intake, liver toxicity , and less healthy lifestyle). If bp is near 130, dash diet alone could do it. Give it 3 months and have your doctor re-evaluate. Again, if it doesnt quite get it done , a medication or 2 is worth reaching the goal BP. But stay on the diet and live longer ..

In some cases yes! It depends of the factors affecting your blood pressure. Poor diet, stress, caffeine and smoking are factors that can increase blood pressure. Through lifestyle changes you can correct these. Age, race, and genetics are also factors that affect blood pressure, but you can't do anything about those. I would focus on a heart healthy diet (low in saturated fat and salt) along with moderate exercise. Work closely with your doctor to manage any medications. Some individuals can manage blood pressure through lifestyle changes alone whereas others require some medical intervention (medication).