High blood pressure, defined as systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg, or taking antihypertensive medication, affects 24 percent of the United States adult population or about 50 million people. Because the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke increases with increasing blood pressure throughout the entire range of blood pressure levels, people with blood pressure above the optimal level of 120/80 are at increased risk of disease. Approximately 48 percent of the adult population have blood pressure either normal but above optimal levels or have Stage 1 hypertension, a prevalence which increases with age. To combat this highly prevalent condition, primary prevention through lifestyle modification represents a highly promising strategy for public health.