Saturday, July 31, 2021

3 most frequently asked questions about diastolic blood pressure


1.What caused diastolic blood pressure to suddenly rise? 

The possible reasons for the sudden rise in diastolic blood pressure are that it may be due to stress reflexes, that is, sudden mental stress, poor rest, and increased heart rate.

Diastolic pressure is when the human heart diastolic, arterial blood vessels elastic retraction, the pressure generated is called diastolic pressure, also called low pressure. When the heart is diastolic, the aortic pressure drops, and at the end of cardiac diastole the arterial blood pressure is at its lowest value called diastolic, the normal diastolic pressure in adults is <90Mmhg (12Kpa), some people subjectively feel dizzy, chest discomfort, and measure high diastolic pressure, which is due to increased sympathetic nerve activity and increased peripheral vascular resistance. It is an early stage of hypertension, and simple diastolic hypertension should still not be ignored, because, with the prolongation of the disease, simple diastolic hypertension can be transformed into classical hypertension. It may even progress to pure systolic hypertension.

The mechanisms of diastolic blood pressure are divided into two main categories: 

  • first, impaired energy-consuming processes of calcium ion recycling into the sarcoplasmic reticulum and pumping out of the extracellular space when energy supply is inadequate, resulting in active diastolic dysfunction。

  • second, impaired compliance and filling of the ventricular muscle. When these two types of abnormalities occur, elevated diastolic blood pressure can occur, mainly in the early stages of cardiac insufficiency in coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. Severe cases are seen in restrictive cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, etc.

2.Why is my diastolic blood pressure low?

Low diastolic blood pressure is associated with many factors, such as a patient's heart valve closure insufficiency or the use of antihypertensive medication, which causes a drop in blood pressure and an increase in pulse pressure difference. Low diastolic blood pressure can easily lead to insufficient perfusion of the heart arteries and can easily cause problems such as dizziness.

Physiologically low diastolic blood pressure is also common in clinical practice and is related to family genetics and the patient's physical condition. 

It has little impact on the patient's health and life expectancy, so you don't need to worry too much about this condition and no special treatment is needed. 

If you are uncomfortable due to physiologically low diastolic blood pressure, you can take various complementary treatments and physical exercises to keep your blood pressure at a normal level. 

If patients often feel dizziness, headache, chest tightness, easy fatigue as well as body swelling and obvious weight gain within a short period, most of these conditions are pathological and should be promptly examined at a hospital to find out the cause for timely treatment.

The blood supply to the heart itself is borne by the coronary arteries, and the blood volume perfused by the coronary arteries needs to rely on the help of diastolic pressure. When the diastolic pressure is lower than 60 mmHg, the blood supply to the heart muscle is reduced by 1/3, which can seriously cause myocardial ischemia, angina pectoris, and even myocardial infarction. Excessively low diastolic blood pressure at the same systolic blood pressure level increases the risk of myocardial infarction and increases mortality.

Blood pressure measurement is affected by many factors, such as emotional stress and tension, which can affect the value. Blood pressure is considered hypertensive if it is detected at or above 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic at least three times under quiet and awake conditions using standard measurement methods; a blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg is called hypotension. 

You should pay attention to low diastolic blood pressure, especially in middle-aged and elderly people who have low diastolic blood pressure due to pathological reasons, and should promptly seek medical control and participate in physical exercise appropriately.

3.Does anxiety raise diastolic blood pressure?

Symptoms of anxiety or anxiety disorders can lead to elevated and fluctuating blood pressure, which is a manifestation of the somatization of mental illness. That is, the presence of a state of anxiety leads to a state of sympathetic excitability that is significantly elevated.

In this case, the blood pressure is affected by sympathetic excitability, resulting in vasoconstriction and increased heart rate, leading to a significant increase in blood pressure, and such a state can fluctuate greatly according to emotions, resulting in high and low blood pressure. If the anxiety is relieved by active medication or psychological treatment, the blood pressure can be quickly restored to a normal level.

 

What is differential pulse pressure

The differential pressure between systolic and diastolic pressure is called the pulse pressure difference.

the normal value 40 mm Hg. Greater than 60 mm Hg is called excessive differential pressure, and less than 20 mm Hg is called too small a differential pressure. Whether the differential pressure value is too large or too small, there may be some kind of abnormal body changes.


What is the cause of a large blood pressure differential?

  • 1. large blood pressure differential, mainly arterial valve closure insufficiency, aortic sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, severe anemia, rheumatic heart disease, some congenital heart disease with hypertensive heart disease, etc.  


  • 2. hypertension and atherosclerosis, resulting in weakened arterial wall elasticity, increased systolic pressure, and decreased diastolic pressure.  


  • 3. long-term hypertension, resulting in myocardial overload, resulting in heart enlargement, or arterial valve closure insufficiency.  


  • 4. hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) or severe anemia.

A small pulse pressure difference is most often seen in patients in the early stages of hypertension.

Due to the increased sympathetic excitability of the patient, the whole body surface small blood vessel spasm, so that the systolic pressure is not high, the diastolic pressure is relatively high, the pulse pressure difference becomes small.


(1) Any factor that can affect systolic and diastolic blood pressure can affect the pulse pressure difference. When the output per beat increases, systolic blood pressure is high, while diastolic blood pressure changes less, increasing pulse pressure difference; conversely, when the output per beat decreases, systolic blood pressure decreases and pulse pressure difference decreases. Heart rate slows, diastolic ejection time is prolonged, less residual blood in the diastolic unartery, diastolic pressure decreases, and pulse pressure difference increases; conversely, when the heart rate is accelerated, diastolic pressure increases and pulse pressure difference decreases.

(2) Common diseases that cause large pulse pressure differences include aortic valve insufficiency, aortic sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, severe anemia, rheumatic heart disease, syphilitic heart disease, some congenital heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease, bacterial pericarditis, etc. Common diseases that cause a decrease in pulse pressure difference include massive pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis, severe mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, severe heart failure, peripheral circulation failure, shock, as well as due to obesity, increased blood viscosity or combined with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc.

(3) Common pulse pressure difference is mostly caused by a decrease in systolic blood pressure (high pressure), of which there are physiological factors, but also pathological reasons. Of the former systolic blood pressure decline is mostly seen in the body wasting or weak, the latter category is seen in shock, myocardial infarction, cardiac insufficiency, pericardial tamponade, hyperalgesia, and other diseases. Other organic lesions that cause a decrease in pulse pressure difference include pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis, severe mitral stenosis, and aortic stenosis.

(4) The treatment of excessive or small pulse pressure difference is mainly causative treatment. If the aortic closure insufficiency that causes excessive pulse pressure difference must rely on cardiac surgery to solve; treatment of small pulse pressure difference, such as heart failure should correct heart failure, hyperlipidemia, diabetes caused by the main take lipid, sugar and other treatment. When the pulse pressure difference is found to be significantly reduced, various organic lesions should be excluded first, such as after detailed examination, failed to find a clear cause, should be considered to belong to the physical blood pressure reduction (mainly refers to systolic blood pressure), the treatment of physical hypotension, in addition to strengthening physical strength, appropriate nutrition, but also to prevent dizziness when upright, or fall. Drugs can be used to regulate the role of plant nerve function of glutamate, vitamins, etc. The phenomenon of small pulse pressure difference without discomfort does not need to be overly concerned, because it will not have much impact on health.

As seen above, a pulse pressure difference, whether too large or too small, indicates the presence of an underlying disease. If you once find your pulse pressure difference is normal, should enhance self-care awareness, prevention before it is too late: regular review of blood pressure, find problems in time to correct, to achieve regular life, normal living, pay attention to diet, active exercise, adhere to medication, find ways to control blood pressure within the more desirable range.

7 ways to lower blood pressure without drugs

1. Lose excess weight and watch your waistline

Many people high blood pressure is caused by obesity, that is to say, blood pressure will increase with weight, and being overweight will also lead to interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), which will further raise blood pressure so that the vicious circle will make our blood pressure remains high.

Then, weight loss is one of the most effective ways to control blood pressure in obese people. If an overweight or the obese person loses even a relatively small amount of weight, there will be a significant drop in blood pressure. In general, for every kilogram of weight lost, blood pressure can be reduced by about 1 mmHg.

It is also important to pay attention to your waist size. Generally, people with abdominal obesity have a higher risk of hypertension. Men's waist circumference is more than 90cm, women's more than 80cm belong to the abdominal obese people.

2. Regular exercise

It is recommended that hypertensive patients should exercise regularly. You can set a standard, such as 150 minutes of exercise per week or about 30 minutes most days of the week, so that regular exercise can help us to reduce blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mmHg. It is important to stick to regular exercise because if you interrupt exercise, blood pressure will rise again.

Exercise can help us to avoid high blood pressure if we are in the stage of elevated blood pressure. In the case of people who already have high blood pressure, regular physical activity can bring it down to a safer level.

Exercises to lower blood pressure include aerobic exercise whenever possible, including walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, or dancing. You can also try high-intensity interval training and strength training are also exercises that can help lower blood pressure, but these exercises still need to be moderate.

3. Eat healthily

If you can control the structure of your diet can also lower blood pressure, try a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products that can lower blood pressure by 11 mm Hg. This diet plan is known as the diet to suppress hypertension diet.

4. Reduce sodium in the diet

A diet high in sodium can cause high blood pressure, and it is important to control salt intake if your blood pressure is high. Some medical studies have also shown that reducing salt intake in normal people in daily life can prevent hypertension and that limiting salt intake in people with hypertension can improve the treatment of hypertension.

5. Stop smoking and limit alcohol

Drinking alcohol raises blood pressure, and the more alcohol you drink, the more your blood pressure rises. Cigarettes can raise your blood pressure within minutes of inhalation. Quitting smoking not only helps restore blood pressure levels but also reduces the risk of heart disease and improves overall health.

6. Get enough sleep

Too little sleep can also cause a rise in blood pressure. To keep your blood pressure normal, it is important to get regular rest and not stay up late.

7. Reduce stress

Although there is no clear research to show how much stress affects blood pressure, it does affect blood pressure if you are under too much stress for too long. Especially if you like to use overeating, drinking and smoking to relieve stress, these bad habits will inevitably lead to high blood pressure.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

3 main causes of high blood pressure

1. What is the exact principle of the increase in blood pressure caused by salt?

  • The main component of salt is sodium chloride. Sodium and chloride ions are found in the extracellular fluid. Potassium ions are normally found in the intracellular fluid acting to maintain homeostasis. With an increase in sodium and chloride ions, the extracellular fluid increases due to changes in osmotic pressure, the resulting water, and sodium retention, the increase in intercellular fluid and blood volume, along with an increase in return blood volume, ventricular filling volume, and output, and an increase in blood pressure. 
  • In the extracellular fluid sodium ions increase, the concentration gradient of sodium ions inside and outside the cell increases, so that the intracellular sodium ions increase, and the intracellular sodium ions increase, which leads to cell swelling, and the smooth muscle cells of small artery wall swelling, on the one hand, can narrow the lumen and increase the peripheral resistance; on the other hand, the small artery wall reacts to the blood constricting substances (such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, angiotensin) increase, leading to Small arteries spasm, and then the resistance of small arteries throughout the body increases, prompting an increase in blood pressure.

Salt restriction is beneficial, both from the perspective of treatment and prevention of hypertension patients.

Data on the relationship between salt and hypertension worldwide show that salt intake and sodium urinary excretion (an indirect response to sodium intake) are positively correlated with hypertension, that is, the higher the salt intake, the higher the blood pressure level. For patients with hypertension, salt restriction can be helpful. It has been proven that in the early stages of hypertension or mild hypertension, salt restriction alone can bring blood pressure back to normal. In severe hypertension, restricting salt intake not only improves the efficacy of other antihypertensive drugs but also leads to a reduction in the dose of antihypertensive drugs, which can greatly reduce the side effects of antihypertensive drugs and drug costs.

People only need 0.5 grams of sodium chloride per day to meet their physiological needs, but in fact, the daily salt intake of people in daily life is more than 10 grams. According to the data, the average blood pressure level of the population is related to salt, and the incidence of hypertension is high in areas with high per capita salt intake. Areas with low per capita salt intake have a low relative incidence of hypertension. It should be noted that only 1/3 of patients with hypertension experienced a decrease in blood pressure after strict salt restriction, indicating that there are two types of hypertensive patients, salt-susceptible and non-salt-susceptible and that the increase in blood pressure due to excessive salt intake is mainly reflected in salt-susceptible individuals.

2. There is an indirect relationship between hypertension and weight. 

It can be said that weight affects the incidence of hypertension. The excess fat in the body of people with high body weight is large, and the distribution of a large amount of fat in the vascular parts of the body and heart parts gives rise to local vascular compression or compression, which can easily make the blood circulation abnormal and cause abnormal blood pressure.

Overweight, obesity is one of the important causes of hypertension.

The incidence of hypertension in obese people, significantly higher than in lean people, and the degree of obesity of a person is proportional to the incidence of hypertension, it can be said that half of the people who have more than moderate obesity will get hypertension, and obese people have a greater chance of suffering from hypertension compared to their normal-weight peers, the impact of obesity on hypertension, is through increased blood volume load, the insulin resistance, changes in peripheral resistance vessels, the renin-angiotensin system in the body, changes in atrial natriuretic hormones, and differences in steroid hormones, all of which play an important role in the development and exacerbation of hypertension. Obese people have thicker subcutaneous fat, which will make the capillaries expand greatly and increase blood volume, and the blood circulation volume also increases relatively, thus increasing the blood volume load, and the heartbeat out volume increases greatly under the normal heart rate, and the heart and blood vessels are overburdened for a long time, which will induce the left heart hypertrophy and lead to the increase of blood pressure.

Weight and hypertension show a clear relationship

Excessive weight gain indicates that the patient's fat content is relatively high, this population is easy to lead to primary hypertension, and like men's waist circumference > 90cm, women's waist circumference > 85cm, is also related to obesity hypertension. For people with hypertension, if their weight is excessively high, they must actively control their weight. Generally speaking, the body mass index is recommended to be below "24kg/m2", which is the minimum standard and does not meet the standard of overweight. Patients should also actively control their weight, generally by limiting dietary intake and exercising appropriately, and they must keep their blood pressure within a good range before exercising.

3. Long-term alcohol consumption is prone to cause hypertension.

Alcohol has a vasodilating effect. Many people say that drinking alcohol relaxes the mind, and many people's emotions are soothed after drinking alcohol, in which case it will make our blood pressure lower to some extent. What is the reason for this? Is it possible that drinking alcohol can lower blood pressure? It is not true.At the beginning of drinking alcohol, the arteries of the whole body expand and the blood volume relatively decreases, and at this time, the blood pressure is often measured to below. Although the heart rate increases and cardiac output increases, the resulting increase in blood pressure is not enough to offset the vasodilating effect. However, the vasodilating effect of alcohol is not long-lasting, and thereafter, blood pressure gradually returns to its previous state. The use of alcohol in this way to lower blood pressure is unreliable, and drinking alcohol can only briefly relieve our inner emotions.

The dangers of alcohol abuse are even greater, such as somatic symptoms and psychiatric symptoms. Alcohol abuse by patients can lead to various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, gout, etc. It affects the health of the patient, especially the damage to the patient's body, which may further aggravate the patient's somatic diseases.

In addition, long-term heavy alcohol abuse can also lead to psychiatric problems, especially after alcoholism, such as agitation, temper, tremors, thirst for alcohol, and other symptoms of dependence, in addition, after withdrawal often appear physical discomfort, such as tremors, sweating, or hallucinations, delusions and other content, therefore, in clinical alcoholism is very large social problems, psychological problems.

Studies have shown that one glass a day is good for the heart and also raises the level of a type of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the body called benign cholesterol, but this beneficial protective effect immediately disappears once you drink more than two glasses of alcohol. So make sure you control it and don't get greedy.

All images are from Pexels


The dangers of asymptomatic hypertension

Hypertension is a common and frequent disease

Hypertension generally develops slowly and patients are often asymptomatic in the early stages or only have symptoms such as dizziness, headache, palpitations, tinnitus, etc. On the surface, it appears to be an independent disease, but in fact, it is an important risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal pathologies.

Having hypertension and not feeling it does not mean there is no damage. 

In the early stages of hypertension, some physical symptoms are not easily detected, such as spasms of fine arteries throughout the body, and as the disease progresses, the fine arteries gradually harden. 

Medium and large arteries develop intimal lipid deposits, forming atherosclerotic plaques and thrombi. 

This change, mostly in the coronary arteries, cerebral arteries, renal arteries, so that hypertension does not have symptoms, does mean no harm, it will slowly destroy the patient's heart, brain, kidney organs, known as the "invisible killer" health.

Clinical data show that about 50% of young adults with hypertension are asymptomatic or have occasional dizziness, headaches and other atypical symptoms, many people do not know they have the disease. Not knowing, not paying attention, plus busy work all day and night, taking care of the family, often delayed until the condition out of the deterioration of the medical treatment. But by this time, there is often already damage to heart and kidney function or even stroke and heart attack, leading to disability, death, and some other consequences.

Patients who develop symptoms of hypertension tend to be more conscious of seeking help from their doctors and actively treating them. However, patients with asymptomatic hypertension have poor medical compliance even if they know they have hypertension, and do not treat it or do not adhere to it.

Patients with asymptomatic hypertension, especially young people, should figure out that the danger of hypertension lies not in the presence or absence of symptoms, but the fluctuation of blood pressure levels.


If left untreated for a long time, the harm of hypertension will be maximized. Persistently high blood pressure can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and aorta, eventually leading to serious complications such as brain hemorrhage, heart failure, and kidney failure, which can seriously affect health and even life. Therefore, hypertensive people are recommended in the diet to "coarse tea and light meals", often eat some coarse food, often drink some free tea, can play a better prevention and treatment effect, while strengthening sports, to learn to regularly measure blood pressure, the best conditions at home with their sphygmomanometer, pay attention not to measure blood pressure after exercise, this situation is a normal blood pressure rise.



Tuesday, July 27, 2021

10 best seafoods for people with high blood pressure

Simple hypertension can eat moderate amounts of sea fish, shrimp, shellfish, etc., if hypertension combined with hyperuricemia, is not allowed to eat seafood. 

Like sea fish, shrimp, shellfish, etc. are rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids and calcium, zinc, potassium, and other trace elements, can prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, supplement the body protein, improve sodium and water retention, enhance disease resistance, and the fat content of this seafood are generally not high, moderate to eat some will not have a major impact on blood pressure.

1. sea shrimp

Sea shrimp contains a lot of protein, a small amount of cholesterol, relatively rich in nutrients, hypertensive patients can occasionally eat sea shrimp, but do not eat too much. Because the sea shrimp contains a certain amount of cholesterol but also belongs to the saltwater organisms, the body contains more salt.

2. squid

Hypertension patients can eat squid in moderation, squid is rich in high-quality protein and some trace elements, minerals, squid ate in moderation, the body and blood pressure will not cause a great impact, but it is best not to eat too much!


3. cuttlefish

The fat of cuttlefish contains a large amount of highly unsaturated fatty acids, plus the meat contains high amounts of taurine, which can effectively reduce the cholesterol accumulated in the walls of the blood vessels. For the prevention of vascular sclerosis, the formation of gallstones has a certain effect. It also can replenish brain power and prevent Alzheimer's disease. For people who are prone to cardiovascular diseases, cuttlefish is a portion of good food for health.

4. Sea cucumber

Sea cucumber has high nutritional value and has a certain effect of lowering blood pressure. It is suitable for people with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and arteriosclerosis. Modern scientific research proves that sea cucumber has high nutritional value, including protein content of more than 55%, 18 kinds of amino acids, taurine, chondroitin sulfate, mucopolysaccharide, and other components, and arginine is the main component of male sperm cells and the main raw material for synthesizing human collagen, which can promote the regeneration of body cells and repair of the damaged body, as well as improve the immune function of the human body. It can also improve the body's immune function, prolong life and eliminate fatigue.

5. sardines

Sardines contain more linoleic acid, which is useful for increasing the elasticity of microvessels, preventing blood vessel rupture, and preventing hypertension complications.

6. pomfret

The nutritional value of pomfret is very high because it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, often eaten has the effect of lowering cholesterol in the body, and can also play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, for hypertension patients have some benefits. Regular consumption can also prevent cancer and delay the effects of aging

7. Hairtail

The fat content of Hairtail  is higher than that of ordinary fish, and it is mostly unsaturated fatty acids, which have a long carbon chain and have a cholesterol-lowering effect. The Hairtail and silvery-white oil layer of scallops also contain an anti-cancer ingredient, 6 thioguanine, which is beneficial in the treatment of leukemia, stomach cancer, and lymphoma. Regular consumption of Hairtail has the effect of tonifying the five organs. A Hairtail is rich in magnesium, which has a good protective effect on the cardiovascular system and is good for preventing cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and myocardial infarction. Regular consumption of Hairtail also nourishes the liver and blood, skin, and hair beauty benefits.

8. salmon

Salmon contains a lot of protein, vitamins, trace elements, and minerals, especially lecithin and a variety of unsaturated fatty acids. Lecithin has the effect of removing plaque from the blood vessel wall; and unsaturated fatty acids have the function of blood lipids, improving the coagulation mechanism, increasing high-density lipoprotein, but not increasing triglycerides, thus reducing the formation of cardiovascular thrombosis, preventing atherosclerosis, and reducing the complications of hypertension. However, not all sea fish can be eaten by hypertensive patients, and a reasonable diet is most important for hypertensive patients.

9. kelp

Patients with hypertension can eat some kelp, but not in excess. Kelp is rich in nutrition, containing iodine, iron, calcium, protein, fat, as well as starch, mannitol, carotene, vitamin B1, nicotinic acid, fucoidan, and other nutrients required by the human body. The mannitol in kelp works synergistically with iodine, potassium, and niacin to prevent and treat arteriosclerosis and hypertension. However, kelp is seafood and contains a certain amount of salt. Patients with hypertension should have a low salt, low fat, and low cholesterol diet, so they should not eat more than they can, and excess will trigger high blood pressure.

10. seaweed

High blood pressure can eat purple cabbage, purple cabbage taste sweet, salty, cold. Soft and hard, clear heat and phlegm, diuretic. Porphyra contains protein, fat, carotene, vitamin b1, b2, b12, c, niacin, choline, amino acids (alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, etc.), iodine, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other components. Porphyrins are generally suitable for everyone, so people with high blood pressure can eat nori, but seafood (sodium chloride) has a high salt content and should not be consumed in large quantities

All images are from Pexels


17 vegetables that are the best for people with high blood pressure

Hypertension is a very common and difficult to cure disease, so in order to effectively control hypertension, in addition to taking antihypertensive drugs, but also pay special attention to the diet, eat more food to lower blood pressure.

1 Onion

Onion contains protein, sugar, dietary fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, vitamin B1, vitamin C, carotene, niacin, and prostaglandin A. It is beneficial to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Especially the prostaglandin A in onion can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity, which can prevent thrombosis.

2 Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Eating tomatoes regularly can enhance the function of blood vessels and prevent the aging of blood vessels. The flavonoids in tomatoes have the effect of reducing the permeability of capillaries and preventing their rupture, as well as the special effect of preventing vascular sclerosis, which can prevent cervical cancer and bladder cancer. It is also useful in the treatment of hypertension and anemia. Therefore, patients with high blood pressure can eat more tomatoes, which are useful for patients.

3 Potatoes

Potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, with some sources indicating that they contain as much as apples. Therefore, the gastrointestinal absorption of potatoes is slower, and after eating potatoes, they stay in the intestine for a longer time, with a sense of satiety, and also help take away some grease and body waste, with a certain laxative and detoxifying effect. Potatoes are very good high potassium and low sodium food, very suitable for edematous obese people, plus its rich potassium content, almost the highest in vegetables.

4 Celery

Celery has a very good antihypertensive effect, he also has a very good laxative effect, and rich in a variety of vitamins, a and vitamin c can supplement the body needs the level of vitamins, and the role of celery regulation of blood pressure is relatively significant, but also has a certain detoxification diuretic effect, for patients with hypertension is very good celery also contains a butyl phenyl peptide substances, can The celery also contains a butyl phenyl peptide, which can effectively inhibit the secretion of adrenaline, so that the blood pressure will also be properly stabilized.

5 Black fungus

Black fungus has four functions: anti-coagulation, anti-platelet coagulation, anti-thrombosis, and anti-lipid, etc. These functions can reduce the body's lipid viscosity, reduce the cholesterol content, soften blood vessels, reduce the narrowing and hardening of heart vessels, and make blood flow smoothly, so often eat black fungus can not only lower blood pressure but also have a certain effect on the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis, vascular sclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.

6 White gourd

White gourd contains low sodium and less than 2% sugar, which is most suitable for diabetic patients to eat when they are hungry. It has a good therapeutic effect on diseases such as arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, nephritis, and edema. Scientific research has also found that winter melon contains malonic acid, which has a certain inhibitory effect on the conversion of sugar into fat and therefore has the effect of weight loss and fat reduction.

7 Mushrooms

The crude fiber, semi-crude fiber, and lignin contained in mushrooms, which are difficult for the human body to digest, can keep the water in the intestine and absorb the remaining cholesterol and sugar, and expel them from the body, which can prevent constipation, intestinal cancer, and arteriosclerosis. It is suitable for elderly patients with diabetes, leukopenia, infectious hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, vitamin b2 deficiency, etc. It is suitable for the elderly with low immunity, hypertension, and diabetes.

8 White radish

White radish is rich in vitamin C, which has a vasodilating effect and can help lower blood pressure; its potassium content has a protective effect against vascular damage and helps counteract the blood pressure-raising effect of sodium. The amylase, oxidase in white radish can break down the fat and starch in food and promote fat metabolism, which can lower cholesterol and prevent coronary heart disease.

9 Cabbage

Patients with high blood pressure can eat cabbage, eating cabbage is very good food. Because there are b vitamins in cabbage, rich in vitamin C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, are relatively high. Cabbage contains crude fiber, not only can laxative, laxative, but also effective detoxification, promote intestinal peristalsis of an occurrence. It can nourish the essence, nourish the stomach, produce the body and remove annoyance, quench thirst, diuretic, laxative, for lowering blood pressure is also very good effect.

10 Broccoli

Broccoli is also a good vegetable that can regulate blood pressure, broccoli is rich in magnesium and calcium, and potassium, three very high minerals, can play a role in reducing blood pressure. Eating more broccoli can lower blood pressure and reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease and stroke.



11 Garlic

Garlic is rich in nutrients, containing protein, carbohydrates, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, allicin, citral, and trace elements such as selenium and germanium. Garlic not only has strong antiseptic power, which is effective against colds, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and tonsillitis caused by bacteria but also promotes metabolism and appetite, prevents arteriosclerosis, and stabilizes blood pressure.

12 Eggplant

Eggplant not only tastes good, rich in nutrients but also has a good effect of reducing high blood pressure. Especially the content of vitamin P is high. Every 100 grams contains vitamin P 750 mg. Vitamin P can make the blood vessel wall maintain elasticity and physiological function, protect cardiovascular, ascorbic acid, this substance can enhance the adhesion between human cells, enhance the elasticity of capillaries, reduce capillary brittleness and permeability, prevent microvascular rupture bleeding, so that cardiovascular maintain normal function, prevent hardening and rupture.

13 Spinach

It is possible to eat spinach, which is rich in potassium, because the proper intake of potassium is beneficial for the excretion of sodium in the body, so it is more suitable for patients with high blood pressure to eat. And often eat some spinach, it can promote intestinal peristalsis, to prevent constipation, can also avoid blood pressure, because constipation may cause the rise of abdominal pressure, causing increased blood pressure, for hypertensive patients, appropriate to eat some vegetables, for blood lipids, as well as intestinal peristalsis, can play a complementary therapeutic effect, can improve the body's condition, for the control of this hypertension, is also more beneficial The following is a list of some of the vegetables that can be eaten.

14 Carrot

Carrots have carotenoids and anthocyanins inside, which can promote capillary permeability and have the effect of lowering blood pressure and diuretic, as well as lowering blood lipids, preventing atherosclerosis, and promoting blood circulation. Carrots are useful for improving high blood pressure and have a therapeutic effect.

15 Corn

Corn is a nutritious food, containing protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and other minerals, and is rich in vitamins and amino acids, and is beneficial to the health of patients with high blood pressure when eaten in moderation, and does not raise blood pressure. Corn also has the effect of enhancing the body's metabolism, beauty, and skincare.

16 Cucumber

Cucumber contains protein, fat, sugar, fiber, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotene, cucurbitacin C, malonic acid, thiamine, as well as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and other nutrients. Cucumber is a low-fat, low-sugar, low-calorie food, and the malonic acid it contains can effectively inhibit the conversion of sugar substances into fat. The fiber in cucumbers can also lower cholesterol, so eating cucumbers can lose weight and prevent the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Cucumber is suitable for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and other patients to eat

17 sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in starch, dietary fiber, carotene, vitamins A, B, C, E, and potassium, iron, copper, selenium, calcium, and more than 10 kinds of trace elements and linoleic acid, etc. The nutritional value is very high, known by nutritionists as the most balanced nutrition of health food. These substances can maintain the elasticity of blood vessels.


All images are from Pexels


15 best fruits for high blood pressure

1 Banana

Most people know that bananas are a laxative fruit, but this is not the only function of bananas. Bananas contain a lot of fiber and potassium, so while eating bananas you can replenish potassium ions to help regulate the body of hypertensive patients, which is one of the best fruits for hypertensive patients. Especially for hypertension patients who have developed complications, they will choose diuretics to control their blood pressure, but this will lead to the loss of most of the potassium ions in the body, and eating bananas can be a targeted supplement, which can also play a role in preventing and controlling the disease.

2 Hawthorn

Patients with hypertension can eat hawthorn appropriately. First of all, hawthorn contains a lot of vitamin C, carotene and other components, which can largely remove the body's free radicals, enhance the body's immunity, and prevent endothelial damage to blood vessels, especially in patients with hypertension. Secondly, it contains a large number of flavonoids that are beneficial to the human body. The above components have certain effects of regulating blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, softening blood vessels, anti-arrhythmia and many others. Hawthorn is very suitable for hypertension patients, but not in excess.

3 kiwifruit

Kiwifruit is the most nutritious and comprehensive of all kinds of fruits. Regular consumption of kiwifruit can not only inhibit mutations that induce cancer genes but also play a role in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Kiwifruit contains vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and many other vitamins, is rich in nutrients and dietary fiber low-fat food.

4 Papaya

Papaya contains papain, which breaks down fats into fatty acids; papaya contains an enzyme that digests proteins, which facilitates the digestion and absorption of food. The enzyme rennet in papaya has a lactogenic effect, and papain has an anti-lymphatic leukemia effect. Papaya contains a lot of water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and essential amino acids, which can effectively replenish the body's nutrients and enhance the body's ability to fight diseases.For people with high blood pressure it is very beneficial to eat some papaya on a regular basis.

5 Apples

Apples are rich in organic acids and pectin, and a variety of vitamins are rich, so patients with hypertension eat some apples to prevent the hardening of blood vessels and play a certain role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. And eat more apples can ingest the fiber material in the apple, which is needed together with the apple skin, and fiber material can promote digestion, so that the gastrointestinal tract peristaltic function is greatly enhanced, so you can improve the absorption of nutrients and metabolism to improve the symptoms of hypertension.apples are one of the best best fruits for high blood pressure.

6 Strawberry

The main nutritional value of strawberries is reflected in their very high vitamin C content. Vitamin C can prevent bleeding gums, promote wound healing, and will make the skin delicate and elastic. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can prevent scurvy, in addition to atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other diseases, have a positive preventive effect.

7 Blueberry

Blueberries have the effect of protecting eyesight, enhancing immunity and delaying aging, and can also improve sleep and lower blood sugar, so it is completely edible for people with high blood pressure, and it is very recommended that patients eat blueberries. But do not eat too much every day because of its relatively high nutritional value.

8 Oranges

Oranges are fruit rich in vitamin C. In addition to this, orange juice contains vitamin B1, which is one of the most abundant elements and therefore has a very good regulatory effect. Because vitamin b1 can have a facilitating effect on the signal transmission of the nervous system, so in daily life, for hypertension patients to control blood pressure can play a very good auxiliary therapeutic effect.

9 Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice contains a variety of rich and easily absorbed amino acids and trace elements, which can play a good role in lowering blood lipids and blood sugar. Pomegranate is rich in anthocyanins and red pomegranate polyphenols, has a strong antioxidant capacity, can remove the body's free radicals, for women have beauty, delay the role of aging. Pomegranate contains a lot of water, which can help the body hydrate. Pomegranate is rich in nutrition and contains essential amino acids and vitamins, among which vitamin c has the effect of killing insects, astringent, astringent and anti-itch, and vitamin E can increase the elasticity of blood vessels and prevent arteriosclerosis. For normal ordinary people to eat pomegranate goods can further prevent coronary heart disease, hypertension, the emergence of

10 dragon fruit

Dragon fruit is rich in nutrition, unique functions, it contains general plant rare plant albumin and anthocyanin, rich in vitamins and water-soluble meal fiber. The anthocyanin content of the fruit is high, especially the red-fleshed variety. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants that prevent the hardening of blood vessels, thus preventing heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clot formation. It can also fight free radicals and effectively anti-aging; it can also improve the prevention of brain cell degeneration and inhibit the occurrence of dementia, so people with high blood pressure can eat dragon fruit without negative effects on the body.

11 Grapes

Grapes are rich in vitamin C, trace elements, potassium ions and so on. Eating more grapes can improve the body's immune system and also has a certain degree of antioxidant function. If you have diabetes, it is recommended that you eat grapes sparingly. The intake of grapes will cause the patient's blood sugar to increase, which will aggravate atherosclerosis, vascular endothelial cell damage, which will make the blood pressure unstable.

12 Snow pear

Snow pear is rich in vitamin c and vitamin e, and other minerals that are beneficial to the body, which will not cause adverse effects on the treatment and recovery of hypertension after consumption; on the contrary, the vitamin e in snow pear can also soften the arterial blood vessels and lower blood lipids, which can improve the headache, head swelling, dizziness and other uncomfortable symptoms caused by hypertension and promote better recovery of hypertension.

13 Mango

As a tropical fruit, mango is rich in carotene and vitamin C. It also has an anti-lipid peroxidation effect, which can have a relatively good cardiovascular protection effect. But whatever the fruit needs to be in moderation because the sugar content of mangoes is very high, if you eat too much will have an impact on blood sugar, if eaten in large quantities for a long time, the risk of getting diabetes will increase.

14 Pineapple

Pineapple is a relatively common fruit, which is rich in sugar, salt and various enzymes, and can also be a health benefit for people with high blood pressure. Although the pineapple contains salt, the content is not high, so when eating pineapple does not cause a burden to hypertensive patients, and pineapple has a certain diuretic effect, but can be aimed at hypertensive patients to play an auxiliary therapeutic effect, which also exists protein hydrolase components, can prevent thrombosis disease

15 Watermelon

Watermelon is a fruit with very high sugar content, but there are also many vitamins and glutamate substances. So although the high sugar content of watermelon may cause certain effects, but can meet the body's needs for various elements. So hypertensive patients can eat watermelon when appropriate to reduce the amount of food, to control the sugar, to play a better health effect, in addition to watermelon can also replenish a large amount of water, has a certain diuretic effect, can regulate the symptoms of water and sodium retention.

All images are from Pexels


Exercise is the best treatment for high blood pressure

Physical exercise is an effective complementary therapy for hypertension

Exercise therapy can effectively assist in lowering blood pressure, adjusting the function of the nervous system, improving blood circulation, enhancing physical activity and quality of life, and is an essential part of hypertension treatment. 

In the exercise therapy of hypertension:

first of all, we must strictly grasp the indications and contraindications,  Any clinically unstable condition is a contraindication, including acute hypertension, severe hypertension or hypertensive crisis, unstable stage III hypertensive disease and combined with other serious complications. 

Second, control the amount of exercise, the intensity of exercise must be appropriate for each person. Start with a small amount of exercise, gradually increase with the improvement of the functional state of the body, and then maintain the appropriate amount of exercise and exercise frequently. Exercise intensity is often measured by the heart rate during exercise, generally 50% to 70% of the highest heart rate (220 - age) as the appropriate heart rate during exercise, the heart rate should return to normal within 3 to 5 minutes after stopping the activity, and the heart rate of people over 50 years of age should not exceed 120 beats/min. 

Because different people with hypertension have different ages, symptoms and conditions, the type of exercise therapy they choose varies. Although exercise is the best treatment for hypertension, the type, intensity, duration and frequency of exercise should be decided by each hypertensive patient, especially middle-aged and elderly patients, according to their own physical condition and under the guidance of a doctor.


Exercise therapy for hypertension mostly uses aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling and swimming

1. Aerobic training

Commonly used methods are walking, biking, swimming, slow-paced ballroom dancing and so on. The intensity is generally 50% to 70% of the maximum heart rate. Heart rate should return to normal within 3 to 5 minutes after stopping the activity. Walking speed is generally 50-80 meters/minute, 30-40 minutes per exercise, which can be interspersed with rest or medical-gymnastics. The heart rate of those over 50 years old is generally less than 120 beats per minute during the activity.

The more intense the activity, the more attention should be paid to the preparation and ending activities. It takes at least 1 week for the training effect to develop, and 4 to 6 weeks to reach a more significant blood pressure-lowering effect. After a phase of time training, systolic blood pressure can generally be reduced by 10 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure is generally reduced by about 8 mmHg.

2. Circulatory resistance exercise

In the past, any form of resistance exercise was considered a contraindication for hypertensive patients because of the possibility of excessive cardiovascular response during resistance exercise in hypertensive patients. However, recent studies suggest that within a certain range, small to medium intensity resistance exercise can produce good antihypertensive effects without causing an excessive increase in blood pressure.

Generally use the cycle of resistance training, that is, using the equivalent of 40% of the maximum primary contraction force as the exercise intensity, do resistance contraction of large muscle groups (such as biceps, low back muscles, pectoralis major, quadriceps, etc.), each section in 10-30 seconds, repeat 8-15 contractions, each section rest 15-30 seconds, 10-15 sections for a cycle, each training 1 to 2 cycles, 3 to 5 times a week, 8 ~For 8 to 12 weeks as a course of treatment. After gradual adaptation, the amount of exercise can be gradually increased in increments of 5% per week.

Following groups of people with a high risk of hypertension need more professional medical guidance to avoid choosing inappropriate exercise without authorization and avoiding cardiovascular accidents.

1. patients with acute progressive hypertension.

2. patients with severe hypertension or a hypertensive crisis.

3. people at high risk of hypertension with unstable conditions.

4. Combination of other serious complications, mainly including the following 7 conditions.

  • Severe arrhythmias.
  • Tachycardia.
  • cerebral vasospasm.
  • heart failure.
  • unstable angina pectoris.
  • failure to control blood pressure due to obvious adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs.
  • Excessive increase in blood pressure exceeding 220/110 mmHg during exercise.

If you need more information, you can also refer to the links below:

MAYO CLINIC

All images are from Pexels