In full disclosure, I am not a medical professional. The information in this blog is for general purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for any medical advice and potential treatment options.
Thank you for informing me that the information I provided in the blogs is helpful. I appreciate you and your time. Hopefully the below information will continue your road to working on happiness.
Diet plays a crucial role in managing high blood pressure.
I have a friend who feels as long as she takes her medication, she can eat whatever she wants.
Here is a sample of her diet for three days, not including weekends, which we usually splurge.
Day 1: Breakfast is about 8 to 9 a.m. and consists of leftover fried chicken wings from the previous lunch.
The day’s lunch is barbecue ribs with fries and bread. Dinner is a salad; she says she does not eat after 8 p.m.
Day 2: For breakfast, she bought a big cup of oatmeal. For lunch, she had Polish sausage with cheese fries and potato chips for a snack.
Day 3: No breakfast. For lunch, two large fried pork chops (one for the next day’s breakfast) with mashed potatoes and gravy. For dinner, supposedly, salad.
Most of us can look at the three-day meal and say it is not good for our health, especially those with high blood pressure. Many times, friends and family will not listen to someone close.
Her workout routine is walking from the train to her job and walking when she goes shopping.
She is not overweight, but her mid-section is.
My friend’s diet frequently includes fried and high-calorie foods, which can increase blood pressure, cause inflammation, and possibly affect the heart.
What is blood pressure/hypertension?
- The force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries.
- Every time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries.
- The blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats and pumps the blood.
What are the types of blood pressure/hypertension?
- Primary essential hypertension is the most common form of high blood pressure and is typically managed by making lifestyle adjustments, including modifications to diet and incorporating exercise. This type of hypertension develops over time and often does not stem from any specific medical condition.
- Secondary hypertension can arise from other medical issues or specific medications. Conditions impacting the heart, kidneys, arteries, or endocrine system can lead to this type of hypertension. Blood pressure typically improves once the underlying condition is addressed or the medication is discontinued.
Blood pressure develops over many years, and lifestyle choices significantly contribute to the gradual development of high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is, in some cases, a silent killer.
Here are several potential causes of high blood pressure:
Genetic
Many people with high blood pressure believe it is due to genetics because of their family history of the condition. However, being overweight and lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity play a role in high blood pressure and are not genetics. Incorporating more green vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, and turnip greens, along with fruits and other produce grown and harvested from the ground, is highly beneficial for managing high blood pressure (consult a professional for guidance and a plan).
Yelling and screaming may not be a direct cause of high blood pressure. It can be a symptom of stress (temporarily spiking blood pressure), frustration, anger, and emotional issues, which contribute to the condition.
Environment factors, lifestyle/diet: fast foods are high in sodium and saturated fats. Regular consumption of high-sodium foods can lead to a decreased sensitivity to salt. As a result, you may crave saltier foods, which can further perpetuate the cycle of high sodium intake and dull the appreciation for more natural flavors.
Many fast foods are high in sodium and saturated fats affecting the taste palate, reduces salt sensitivity, and can influence the consumption of high-sodium foods, contributing to high blood pressure.
While eating out can be convenient and flavorful, home-cooked meals tend to offer better nutritional value, superior ingredient quality, and the potential for enhanced flavors from fresh foods. Balancing both can lead to a healthier lifestyle and control of high blood pressure.
An inactive lifestyle causes weight gain, which is one factor in high blood pressure. Being overweight increases the strain on the heart and could raise blood pressure due to the extra work it does.
Excessive alcohol could raise blood pressure. An example of excessive is having more than eight drinks per week for females and ten to fifteen per week for men.
Note: Some over-the-counter pain relievers could raise blood pressure and contribute to poor sleeping habits.
Some consequences of missing medication and not managing high blood pressure include spikes in the system that could result in a stroke or heart attack.
The severity of the effects varies based on the type of medication and the duration since the last dosage of the blood pressure medication, which may negatively impact vision and kidney function.
A few signs of high blood pressure could include dizziness, chest pain, severe headaches, difficulty breathing, and blurred vision.
Individual factors, including age, overall health and lifestyles habits influence blood pressure.
Examples of a few numbers:
· What is normal blood pressure? 120/80
· Elevated: 120-129/80
· Hypertension stage 1 – 130-139/80-89
· Stage 2– 140 or higher/90 or higher
· 180 or higher is at crisis mode
The top number/systolic pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood, reflecting how much pressure the blood exerts against the artery walls during heartbeats. This number is the most important.
The bottom number/diastolic pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional to diagnose and manage blood pressure readings accurately.
LIFESTYLE changes can help with high blood pressure, such as:
- Being proactive with health. Working with a nutritionist to create a healthy diet.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Reduce sodium intake.
- Getting enough sleep is vital.
- Regular activity, moving the body with enjoyable activities.
- Monitoring blood pressure and managing stress.
- Limiting alcohol, quit smoking (the usual).
Here are a few Resources for Additional Information:
- American Heart Association.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
I hope this information is informative and beneficial.
Thanks again for reading my blog. I appreciate the feedback and look forward to continuing the conversation
As always, I am here and listening.