High blood pressure is a condition in which your blood pressure is elevated above normal levels. This can be a serious condition that can cause heart disease and strokes.
There are many different types of blood pressure, some are usually considered normal, while others are considered high. Those who have high blood pressure are usually older than 50 years old and may be taking certain medications.
High blood pressure, commonly called hypertension, is a relatively common disorder. Its symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, profuse perspiration, sometimes heart palpitations, and in some cases, it can lead to a stroke.
The good news is that there are many foods that can help reduce blood pressure levels, and it is important to know which ones. There are definitely many healthy foods that you can eat to help you with this condition.
Foods that are high in potassium
Potassium is a mineral found in most foods. It helps control your blood pressure by keeping sodium and water levels in balance. It also helps maintain healthy body tissues and organs.
Potassium is a nutrient that helps maintain the proper balance of fluids in the body. It helps to control the level of acidity in the body, which helps the body to maintain a proper pH level. It helps to lower blood pressure, keep the body hydrated, and aids in proper muscle contractions.
High potassium food includes apricots, avocados, bananas, beans, cantaloupe, carrots, chard, chili peppers, citrus fruits, dates, figs, grapes, honeydew, leafy vegetables, milk, molasses, nuts, oranges, potatoes, prunes, raisins, seafood (fish, crab, lobster, shrimp, tuna), squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon.
You can also try superfoods such as goji berries, kale, nori, sea vegetables, spirulina, and wheatgrass. It is very important to know that these foods can help you control your blood pressure and further complications of it.
Foods that are low in sodium
Low sodium food, such as the ones with high fiber content, are good for people with high blood pressure as it reduce the amount of sodium in your bloodstream, which in turn reduce the blood pressure.
A low sodium diet is not a treatment option, but a healthy diet that can help you manage your blood pressure well. Research has shown that diets low in sodium can help lower blood pressure.
For people with high blood pressure, low sodium foods are definitely an important part of a healthy diet. They are low in salt and high in nutrients that help keep you from developing high blood pressure that can lead to heart problems.
One of the most important low sodium foods is kidney beans. Because they are high in fiber, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease, a diet high in whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables can lower your blood pressure as well.
The following are also low sodium foods that you can take if you have high blood pressure:
- Fruits: grapefruit, bananas, papaya, and plums.
- Vegetables: artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, kale, spinach, and tomatoes.
- Grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal.
Foods that are low in fat
High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems, and it can be effectively controlled by eating a healthy diet. A diet low in fat is important to regulate blood pressure. Even small amounts of fat can add up and be detrimental to your health.
Low-fat foods are all the foods with less fat than normal foods. Low fat foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, lean meats, and fish.
Foods to avoid with high blood pressure
High blood pressure occurs when the force that the heart creates to pump blood around the body is too high. This can damage blood vessels and organs.
If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid the following to not aggravate it:
- Deep-fried foods- Deep-fried foods are high in fat and salt that can increase blood pressure.
- Caffeine- Caffeine causes blood vessel constriction.
- Foods high in fat- These foods can increase triglycerides in the blood, which can cause blood vessel constriction.
- Alcohol- Excessively drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure.
- Salt- Foods high in salt or sodium can increase blood pressure.
- Sodium nitrite- As this can also increase blood pressure.
How to know if you have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is a common disease afflicting millions of people worldwide. Still, many of us are not aware that our blood pressure can be too high. However, this condition can be diagnosed using a simple blood pressure reading—or a variety of readings—in the doctor’s office or at home using a blood pressure monitor.
The best way to determine if you have high blood pressure is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam. In some cases, your doctor will order additional tests to help determine if you have high blood pressure.
It is very important to get checked as this condition is known as “the silent killer”, since it is often detected by chance at an early stage, when the damage done by it is irreversible.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart disease, or kidney disease. In addition, high blood pressure can also cause heart failure.