Every year, May 17 is globally celebrated as World Hypertension Day. Its a day dedicated towards understanding this silent killer better. High BP is one of the biggest health risks that faces the global population today. Some would say it's almost an epidemic. High blood pressure can cause countless problems like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and even death!
Hypertension is an unusual condition which has almost no symptoms. The only way to catch it is to get your blood pressure checked regularly. If studies are to be believed, only one-third of all people know they suffer from high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in 'millimetres of mercury' (mm Hg) and is written as two separate numbers. The first number or the systolic number measures the pressure inside the arteries when heart muscles contract. The second number measures the pressure in the arteries when the muscle is resting between heartbeats.
Stress is leading to an increased number of high blood pressure cases.How high should your blood pressure be? According to the American Heart Association, 120/80 is considered to be the normal limit. The range between 120/80 - 140/90 is referred to as 'pre-hypertension' and anything over 140/90 should be addressed. It's important to note that one reading does not indicate that you suffer from high blood pressure. The numbers need to be steady overtime.
Possible Causes for High Blood Pressure
While the exact cause of hypertension remains unknown, a few facts have been identified by health experts are: excess consumption of salt, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and genetic predisposition. Other factors that increase the odds are: cigarette smoking, binge drinking, obesity and stress. A recent study pointed out that processed or canned food and drinks might also be contributing to this increase.
How to Control High Blood Pressure
Over time, unaddressed elevated blood pressure can have catastrophic consequences on your health. So here's a checklist of things you can do to keep it under control:
1. Eat less salt - We've been told over and over again that too much salt can cause a spike in blood pressure.While a massive majority of research shows that with a drop in sodium consumption you may say a drop in blood pressure, it can differ from a person to person.
A drop in sodium consumption you may say a drop in blood pressure.2. Stressful situations pump up the blood pressure so keep calm: Stress does elevate your blood pressure and for those suffering from hypertension, stress can also cause some kind of cardiovascular damage.
3. Exercise to stay fit and to keep your BP within recommended levels. Indians are used to snacking, especially on fried food and. So some form of exercise is recommended. (Belly fat may trigger high blood pressure)
4. Sleep: If you don't want to lose sleep over high blood pressure, then get at least 6-7 hours of sleep every night. Studies have found that the fewer hours of sleep you get, the higher your blood pressure is.
Sleep deprivation can lead to a number of health related problems.5. Quit or reduce your alcohol intake. Quit smoking because nicotine is said to increase blood pressure.
6. Say goodbye to your caffeine fix. According to Mayo Clinic, caffeine can cause a short but dramatic increase in your blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Diet
High blood pressure has a lot to do with your diet and lifestyle. So besides reducing your sodium intake it's important you check what you eat. And that's where we come in. Healthy eating can play an essential role in warding off high blood pressure. But many fear that a blood-pressure-lowering diet involves bland, unseasoned foods and deprivation. That's far from the truth.
Here's a list of 10 foods that are easy to find, delicious, nourishing, healthy, can lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
1. Banana
These portable, easy-peel fruits aren't just sweet and low in sodium; they're also rich in potassium which helps lower blood pressure. To incorporate more bananas into your diet- add it to your cereal, cake, bread, smoothies and milkshakes. Or try grilling or sauteing banana halves, then top it with a scoop of frozen yogurt.
Go bananas with these recipes: Banana & Honey Smoothie, Banana Milkshake, Moist Banana Cake, Banana & Oat Bread, Banana Bread
Bananas are rich in potassium which helps in lowering the blood pressure.2. Spinach
This green leafy delight is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with nutrients like potassium, folate, magnesium - key ingredients for lowering and maintaining blood pressure levels. Did you know that half a cup of cooked spinach provides around 12% of an adult's recommended daily calcium intake? Need an easy way to eat more of this great green? Add fresh spinach leaves to salads or sandwiches.
Recipes: Spinach soup & Sarson ka Saag
This green leafy vegetable is packed with nutrients.
3. Celery
Medicine practitioners have used celery for reducing high blood pressure for ages! Research has shown that eating as few as four celery stalks a day can reduce high blood pressure. It contains phytochemicals known as phthalides that relax the muscle tissue in the artery walls, enabling increased blood flow and, in turn, lowering blood pressure.
Recipe: Cream of Celery Soup
Eating just four celery stalks a day can reduce high blood pressure
4. Oatmeal
Eating a diet high in fiber & whole grains helps your body maintain a healthy blood pressure and oatmeal does just that! It helps reduce both your systolic and diastolic pressure. This low-sodium food can be prepared as a hot cereal and topped with fruit or used in pancakes. You can also add it to many baked goods.
Oatmeal is high in fiber and whole grains and thus help in maintaining a healthy blood pressure.
5. Avocados
The oleic acid found in avocados can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Avocados also contain potassium and folate, which both essential for heart health. It is rich in vitamins A, K, B & E and are loaded with fiber.
Avocados are known for its high nutrient value which helps in good heart health.
6. Watermelon
It contains an amino acid called L-citrulline, which has proven to lower blood pressure. Watermelon is a heart health promoting food loaded with fiber, lycopenes, vitamin A and potassium. All these nutrients have blood pressure-lowering effects. Add this delectable fruit to your diet and wait for the magic to happen!
(Recipes: Guilt free watermelon & feta salad)
Packed with fiber, lycopenes, vitamin A and potassium, watermelon proves to have blood-pressure lowering effects.
7. Beetroot
This crimson root veggie is rich in nitrates, which is thought to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Drinking a glass of beet juice can yield a five-point drop in blood pressure, according to a 2012 Australian study. The effect might be even greater over the long term if they are drinking it day upon day. Yes, beetroot juice lowers systolic blood pressure in just a few hours.
Nitrates present in Beetroot helps relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.
8. Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, folic acid, protein and fiber. Just a handful of sunflower seeds help to lower your blood pressure and promote your heart-health. They are also a great source of magnesium and they make a nutritious snack - but be sure to buy them unsalted in order to minimize your sodium intake.
Unsalted sunflower seeds are rich in fiber and vitamin E.
9. Oranges
This super rich vitamin fruit - is another food you must indulge in to lower your blood pressure. Opt in for a glassful of orange juice or eat the whole fruit to load yourself with fiber and vitamin C.
Recipes: Orange Cake and Orange Marmalade
Loaded with Vitamin C, oranges can balance the blood pressure levels.
10. Carrots
The cure for high BP might be one carrot away! Carrots are high in potassium and beta-carotene which have been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure. Carrot juice also helps maintain normal blood pressure by regulating heart and kidney functions.
High in beta-carotene content, carrots are known to be effective in reducing high blood pressure.