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Foods
To Be Avoided For High Blood Pressure
Author: ©Armughan Riaz
High blood pressure if left unchecked results in increased cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality and leads to target organ damage such
as LVH, retinal changes and vascular changes. The main objective
in the management of hypertension is prevention of target organ
damage and reduction of cardiovascular risk. The management requires
a multi-prolonged approach. Although it is widely accepted that
drug therapy is essential for optimal Blood pressure control,
it should not be forgotten that nonpharmocological measures are
also important in the management of hypertension.
What are the foods to be avoided in high blood pressure? This
is very common question my patients often ask me. On one hand,
it is exceedingly complicated and complex and has been the continued
focus of research by doctors and physicians. On the other hand,
the vast majority of dietary recommendations for hypertension
have resemblance and similarities to general healthy diet recommendations.
Following Foods should be avoided if you have High blood pressure:
1. Alcohol
The association between alcohol and high blood pressure is well
documented both in population and clinical studies. An Alcohol
intake of about 80 g/day (Equivalent to four pints of beer) has
been shown to raise Blood pressure particularly in patients of
hypertension. Blood pressure tends to fall when alcohol is stopped
or reduced and remains low in patients who continue to abstain.
Patients with hypertension should avoid Alcohol. As alcohol can
raise blood pressure directly, is also an important factor in
damaging walls of blood vessels, which can elevate the blood pressure
further and make it more difficult to treat, while at the same
time increasing the risk of complications. Limit consumption of
Alcohol to no more than two drinks per day in most men and one
drink per day in women and lightweight men.
2. Salt
A restriction in dietary sodium intake can reduce the incidence
of hypertension. Studies have shown that there is a clear relationship
between dietary salt intake and Blood pressure and people who
consume less salt have a smaller rise in Blood pressure with advancing
age. Salt restriction to about 100mmol/day (2.4 gm sodium or 6
gm sodium chloride) has been shown to produce a significant reduction
in systolic Blood pressure to about 8-14 mm Hg in several randomized
placebo-controlled studies. In some people, eating too much salt
can make blood pressure much worse and In other cases the same
salt consumption may have no effect.
More salt intake will result in more retention of fluid by kidneys
and this will lead to more preload on heart, that will result
in more blood pressure. You should avoid salt in your diet if
you really want to control your blood pressure. If you are already
a patient of hypertension, then reduce salt in your diet as it
just accentuates the problem. You can lower your blood pressure
to a great extent if you reduce salt consumption in your diet.
You should not have more than 6 grams (100mmol/day) of salt per
day. Pizza, canned foods, frozen diners, broths, canned soups
and salad dressings have high sodium so try to avoid these foods.
If you are non-vegetarian then make sure you are including white
meat like chicken and fish rather than red meat in your diet.
3. Fats
Food that is rich in fats should be avoided. Foods High in Fat
are as follows Fats and oils (like margarine, vegetable oils,
butter, lard, salt pork, meat drippings, gravy, and fat back)
Cream, ice cream, Whole milk, 2% milk. Most pies, pastries, cakes.
Most cheeses (like cream cheese, cheddar, American) Many snack
foods (like nuts and chips) Fatty meats (like corned beef, regular
ground beef, ribs, sausage, hot dogs, bacon, bologna, salami,)
Fried foods (like French fries and fried chicken) Most cookies
contain high fat content Many fast foods are also rich in fats
Saturated fats are not good for heart and blood vessels. Low density
lipoprotein LDL is main factor which causes thickening of blood
vessels so causing extra strain on blood vessels in patients of
high blood pressure. The balanced high blood pressure diet should
include mild amounts of saturated and trans-fats (red meat, fast
food), and moderate amounts of other fats (olive oil and canola
oil).
4. Caffeine Intake:
The evidence from the literature is rather conflicting and the
effects of caffeine seem to depend on multiple variables such
as daily dose, preexisting Blood pressure and coffee drinking
habits. The ingestion of 250mg of caffeine has been shown to cause
an increase in systolic blood pressure ranging from 6mm of hg
in normal individuals to 10 mm hg in patients with hypertension
and an increase in diastolic blood pressure of 5 mm hg in normal
individuals to 8.5 mm Hg in patients of hypertension.
To Know more about Food for High Blood Pressure and cardiovascular
diseases High blood pressure symptoms treatment, please visit
our site. http://www.highbloodpressuremed.com
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