# Hypertension: COVID-19’s Leading Underlying Killer

**By Neal Barnard, MD, FACC** · 2020-04-21

[![vegan food](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/vegan-food.jpg?v=1614114788)](https://blog.myvillagegreen.com/health-concerns/2018/12/11/understanding-blood-pressure/)[Hypertension](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/understanding-blood-pressure), or high blood pressure, is a leading underlying condition for those who have died from COVID-19. In New York, the U.S. epicenter of the virus, 52% of people who have died from COVID-19 had [high blood pressure.](https://covid19tracker.health.ny.gov/views/NYS-COVID19-Tracker/NYSDOHCOVID-19Tracker-Map?%3Aembed=yes&%3Atoolbar=no&%3Atabs=n#/views/NYS%2dCOVID19%2dTracker/NYSDOHCOVID%2d19Tracker%2dFatalities?%253Aembed=yes&%253Atoolbar=no&%253Atabs=n) In Louisiana, [66% had high blood pressure](http://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/). African Americans, who are disproportionately dying from COVID-19, are at greater risk of hypertension. Compared to white Americans of the same ages, [black Americans are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure.](https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aahealth/index.html)

At the [Barnard Medical Center,](https://www.pcrm.org/barnard-medical-center/telemedicine) we recommend a plant-based diet to help patients fight hypertension. A review in _[Progress in Cardiovascular Disease](https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/high-blood-pressure)_ looked at multiple clinical trials and observational studies and found that a plant-based diet reduces the risk of hypertension by 34%. A review published in [_JAMA Internal Medicine_](https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegetarians-have-lower-blood-pressure) looked at 39 studies and found that vegetarian diets were associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures, compared with omnivorous diets. A study in the [_Journal of Geriatric Cardiology_](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466938/) concluded that consuming a diet that is mostly or exclusively plant-based appears beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension.

[Research shows](https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/potassium-may-prevent-high-blood-pressure-later-life) that tomato products, bok choy, raisins, mangoes, bananas, potatoes, kale, and other fruits and vegetables high in potassium may be especially beneficial. Reducing sodium intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising can also help reduce your risk of hypertension. _Photo from [here](https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/452886/vegan-wrap-plant-based-meal-healthy-meal-plan-chicken-avocado-diet), with thanks._

**Tags:** blood pressure, Category_Diet, Category_Health Concerns, COVID 19, hypertension, plant-based diet

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/hypertension-covid-19s-leading-underlying-killer)