There isn't one root cause
Insulin resistance and extra weight do contribute to high blood pressure, but they aren't “the” root cause of all of it. About 90–95% of high blood pressure has no single cause and comes from a mix of genes, weight, salt, low potassium, inactivity and alcohol.
Weight loss and DASH
Losing weight lowers blood pressure by about 1 mmHg per kg. DASH — fruit, vegetables, beans, whole grains, low-fat dairy, less salt and sugar — lowered systolic pressure by about 11 mmHg in people with high blood pressure.
How low-carb compares
At equal weight loss, low-carb diets haven't shown a clear blood-pressure advantage. Cutting sugary drinks and refined carbs is a good idea either way.
Before a big diet change
If you take diabetes or blood pressure medicine, talk to your doctor before a big diet change; doses sometimes need adjusting.
In-app “Myth or fact?” cards offer short, sourced answers to common blood pressure claims.
How FourNumbers helps
FourNumbers can't tell you whether a supplement or diet is right for you — that's for you and your doctor. What it can do is show what's actually happening to your numbers: log readings the right way, keep your medicines and supplements in one list, and bring a report to your doctor.
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Related guides
- Supplements for blood pressure: what the evidence says
- Potassium and blood pressure: food, powders and salt substitutes
- How does salt affect blood pressure?
Last checked: October 2026.