Diet and High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure of above 140 mm Hg (systolic) and or 90mm Hg (diastolic). High blood pressure can be dangerous as it makes the heart work harder and the high force of blood flow can harm the arteries and the organs like the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. Some people may not realize they have high blood pressure until they have problems with their blood, heart or kidneys.


Anyone can get high blood pressure. It does not discriminate between race, age or gender. Blood pressure usually rises with age except when the physical activity is high, obesity is largely absent and salt intake is low.

What is blood pressure - Blood is carried to all parts of the body by the arteries. Blood pressure is defined as the force of the blood against the artery walls as the heart pumps the blood around the body. Each time the heart beats it pumps out blood into the arteries. Systolic pressure (when the heart beats) and diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes) are the terms used to define blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. It is the lowest when you sleep and rises when you get up. It can also rise when you get nervous, excited or happy. Sometimes it stays elevated over a period and this condition leads to high blood pressure.

References:

1. Hajjar IM, Grim CE, George V, Kotchen TA. Impact of diet on blood pressure and age-related changes in blood pressure in the US population: analysis of NHANES III. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161(4):589-593
2. Ruidavets J-B, Bongard V, Simon C, Dallongeville J, Ducimetiere P, Arveiler D, Amouyel P, Bingham A, Ferrierres : Independent contribution of dairy products and calcium intake to blood pressure variations at a population level. J Hypertens 2006
3. About cardiovascular diseases - (https://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/about_cvd/en/)
4. Risk of high blood pressure in salt workers working near salt milling plants: A cross-sectional and interventional study - (http://www.ehjournal.net/content/4/1/13)
5. DASH Diet and High Blood Pressure - (http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/dash-diet)
6. Potassium lowers blood pressure - (http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0705c.shtml)
7. Dietary calcium intake and Renin Angiotensin System polymorphisms alter the blood pressure response to aerobic exercise: a randomized control design - (http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/4/1/1)
8. Calcium - (http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp)

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