Introduction
High blood pressure is a serious health condition that can lead to a variety of health complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. While there are many factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, doctors agree that diet is one of the most important. Eating the right foods can help to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure, while eating the wrong foods can increase your risk. In this article, we will discuss the #1 cause of high blood pressure according to doctors, and provide tips on how to eat this, not that, to help keep your blood pressure in check.
The #1 Cause of High Blood Pressure, According to Doctors — Eat This Not That
High blood pressure is a serious health issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. So, what is the #1 cause of high blood pressure? According to doctors, it’s diet.
Eating a diet high in sodium, saturated fat, and processed foods can lead to high blood pressure. Eating too much salt can cause your body to retain fluid, which can increase your blood pressure. Eating too much saturated fat can also increase your risk of high blood pressure. Processed foods are often high in sodium and saturated fat, so it’s best to avoid them.
So, what should you eat instead? Doctors recommend eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eating foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, can help lower your blood pressure. Eating foods that are high in fiber, such as oatmeal, can also help lower your blood pressure. And, of course, drinking plenty of water can help keep your blood pressure in check.
Making small changes to your diet can have a big impact on your blood pressure. So, if you’re looking to lower your blood pressure, start by eating this, not that!
To many of us, blood pressure is just a set of numbers on a dial or screen we encounter at a physical exam. But high blood pressure is a serious condition that can shorten your life. It occurs when the blood vessels narrow or become less flexible, so blood is propelled through them with increasing force. That can cause damage, raising your risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and more. High blood pressure has no symptoms, and it’s increasingly common as you get older. Read on to find out more about the causes of high blood pressure—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
“In general, the number one cause of high blood pressure in the United States and Western countries is a poor-quality lifestyle,” says Dr. Neerav Sheth, a cardiologist with Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia. “That includes not exercising, being overweight, having excess salt and alcohol intake, poor quality sleep, and a high stress level.”
“Age is a major risk factor” for high blood pressure, says Dr. Leann Poston, a medical advisor to Impakt Fitness. The risk of high blood pressure begins to rise at about age 45. According to the CDC, high blood pressure affects 64% of men over the age of 65. To reduce your risk of high blood pressure and its complications, have your doctor check your blood pressure annually and follow their advice to keep it in a healthy range.
“Salt intake is a significant cause of elevated blood pressure,” says Dr. Alexander Morse, a cardiologist with Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia. “It’s used for preserving food and tastes good, meaning it’s in almost every food. I review diets with patients frequently and have even found significant amounts of salt in everything from bagged baby carrots and salad dressings as well as other ‘healthy’ options. People don’t think of how much salt we ingest and it’s much more than just adding salt at the table.”
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“Sitting or lying in a place for consistent hours is another main cause of high blood pressure,” says Dr. Mark Davis, a physician with Pacific Analytics. “An inactive daily routine keeps the arteries of the heart less flexible and more rigid that puts pressure on them, leading to high blood pressure.”
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“Being overweight or obese are additional risk factors,” says Poston. “Obesity causes an increase in inflammation, which is thought to contribute to high blood pressure.” If you’re overweight, losing only about 8 pounds reduces your risk of high blood pressure by 50 percent.
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“While a little alcohol may relax arteries, too much seems to have the opposite effect,” says Johns Hopkins Medicine. To reduce your risk of high blood pressure and other serious health conditions, drink only in moderation, meaning no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.