Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States. Nearly 1 in 2 adults in the U.S. has hypertension. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and stroke. Achieving and maintaining optimal blood pressure is key to good health and a long life. Optimal blood pressure can be achieved with getting enough sleep, improving psychological health, being physically active, and following a healthy diet. In this lesson, Nicholas Cohen, MD, a practicing family physician in San Francisco, provides tips that have worked for thousands of patients to optimize blood pressure without medications. You will learn tips for getting a good nights rest; for how to treat anxiety and other mental health issues that contribute to high blood pressure. He'll share with you the importance of aerobic exercise and strength training, and avoiding sitting too much or for too long. You'll learn the importance of a healthy diet, and the specifics foods to eat to optimize blood pressure. The lesson begins with a definition of high blood pressure. Next you'll learn about the evidence showing the risk of having high blood pressure. Dr. Cohen will explain how high blood pressure develops. And the effects of high blood pressure on your health. In the tips section, he'll share advice for optimizing the mental health, sleep, activity and nutrition factors related to blood pressure. And finally he'll answer common frequently asked questions. This course is for anyone with high blood pressure, as well as anyone who wants to help someone with high blood pressure, and those with normal blood pressure who want to ensure long term optimal blood pressure into the future. You do not need to have any medical knowledge of this topic to benefit from this instruction. An open mind is all that is required.