In our chaotic fashionable life, hypertension and high blood pressure (HBP) weave their threads, silently encroaching upon our well-being. As these silent assailants tighten their grip on our well being, the clamour for consciousness and understanding grows louder, echoing the pressing must unravel their complexities.
In response to Dr Amit Bhushan Sharma, director, and unit head cardiology, at Paras Well being Gurugram, “The first elements contributing to hypertension, or hypertension, embrace genetics, lifestyle choices, akin to weight loss program and bodily exercise degree, weight problems, extreme salt consumption, alcohol consumption, stress, and sure medical situations like kidney illness and sleep apnea.”
Nmami Agarwal stated, “Train helps strengthen the center, improve the blood movement, and scale back water retention within the physique” (Supply: Freepik)
Nmami Agarwal, Nutritionist, Dietician, and CEO of NmamiLife PVT Ltd stated, “My expertise as a nutritionist and dietician has made me realise that numerous instances of hypertension and HBP is a results of a number of diets and well being elements. Poor dietary patterns of low consuming of fibre and nutrient-dense fruits, greens, and entire grains, however excessive consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and sugar lead to hypertension.”
Hypertension, if not attributable to cardiac points, is mostly attributable to life-style, she stated, including that train helps strengthen the center, improve the blood flow, and reduce water retention within the physique.
Lack of train could cause the thickening of blood and the weakening of the center. Stress oxidizes the blood and makes blood stress shoot. It additionally has an affect on the partitions of the center.
“In all of this, a very good weight loss program of low sodium, excessive fibre, potassium, and good fat makes a distinction”, Aggarwal prompt.
She added that uncontrolled hypertension silently harms your physique. It strains your coronary heart, elevating coronary heart assault and stroke dangers. “Weakened blood vessels can injury kidneys, and eyes, and even trigger sexual issues. There are instances the place it has adversely impacted psychological well being as effectively.”
How does potassium have an effect on blood stress?
Aggarwal explains, “Potassium works like a brake on blood stress. It counters the tightening impact of sodium on blood vessel partitions, selling leisure. Moreover, it helps your kidneys excrete extra sodium by way of urine.
Dr Sharma concurs, including that adequate potassium intake is related to decrease blood stress ranges. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep up a stability between sodium and potassium consumption for optimum blood stress management.
Aggarwal prompt consuming bananas, inexperienced moong, candy potato, rajma, methi, coconut water, and moringa as they’re all not simply wealthy in potassium but additionally comprise numerous different vitamins that assist coronary heart well being.”