HYPERTENSION: THE SILENT KILLER
Hypertension is the most common primary diagnosis in the USA. It affects close to 90 million Americans and plays a major role in the origin and severe damage to the heart, vascular system and kidneys. Recent COVID-19 pandemic complicated things for people with high blood pressure.
The stealth characteristic of this disease makes it a silent and deadly killer. This is particularly true in the early stages, when therapies and preventive management could be more effective.
Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure equal or greater than 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure equal or greater than 90 mmHg, You have to know the numbers, otherwise you might disregard the readings. I often hear individuals that tell me that they have just “a little increase in their blood pressure, but actually normal for their age”; age of course is a factor in high blood pressure, but it does not justify abnormal readings. Any reading that exceeds the numbers above, at any time in our life is an important health issue that needs medical attention.
As a physician is very frustrating that over 90% of hypertensive patients do not have an obvious identifiable cause. Doctors call this condition “primary” or “essential” hypertension. Due to these circumstances we do not have an obvious culprit for the disease, making awareness and early diagnosis much more important if not urgent.
As is the case with other chronic degenerative inflammatory diseases, lifestyle can be both preventive and therapeutic and I am gong to go through the most important tools we all know to help fight off high blood pressure and treat it at the same time.
Obesity and overweight seems to be ever present in these groups of diseases. It might be that overweight is not necessarily the culprit, but shows up in people with poor nutritional choices, very bad energy balance (calories-in vs calories-out), sedentary lifestyle and frequently toxic habits like cigarette smoking. Put them all in perspective you will begin to design some answers to the problem.
Second, and this one you have also heard of, is to reduce sodium intake. I underline the word sodium, not salt. Of course salt is an important source of sodium, but, reading labels will show sodium in most processed foods, even in sweets or cereals. For this reason cutting back on salt will not necessarily be the full answer. Avoid processed foods. Sodium is a great flavoring and inexpensive preserving agent. So to benefit yourself choose fresh, local, unprocessed foods that will also fight unnecessary weight gain.
An adequate intake of potassium, calcium, magnesium and other important balancing minerals will be a great support. Where are they? In the fresh, local, unprocessed foods we have already mentioned. Fresh vegetables, fruits and legumes are particularly rich in all of these minerals.
Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes a day, go to our blog on physical activity, keep movement in mind, physical movement helps and supports all of the above.
Smoking is toxic and raises your blood pressure, it also damages your vascular system, your heart and so many functions that it is irrational to smoke with all the evidence at hand; remember second hand smoke is just as bad. Keep chemicals out of your life, don’t bring them home much less in your body.
Call BioCare, ask questions and ask for help. Do-it-yourself approach is not enough, advise and guidance can go a long way. BioCare can kick start the new you onto a healthier future.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle, you will be grateful and happy with all there is to gain.