Hypertension and Heart Disease
Posted by | Posted in Heart Disease | Posted on 21-05-2009
Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most widespread conditions that affects not just millions of Americans, but individuals across the world. Your blood pressure is basically a measurement of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, which carry the blood from the heart to the various parts of your body. The reason why high blood pressure or hypertension is so worrying is because it means that the heart needs to work a lot harder to pump blood through your body and it could also imply a hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. High blood pressure significantly increases your risk of heart disease and kidney disease, and also of suffering a stroke. What makes it even more dangerous is the fact that it often shows no visible symptoms, giving it the sinister reputation as the ‘silent killer’.
Cardiovascular heart disease is the single largest cause of death and hypertensive heart diseases are the main cause of death seen to be associated with hypertension. Hypertensive heart diseases would include disorders like heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, which is an excessive thickening of the heart muscles, and ischemic heart disease. Studies have shown that vascular damage accumulates right from adolescence, which is why preventive efforts need to be made from childhood itself. In almost all cases, by the time heart problems or hypertension are detected the underlying cause, which is atherosclerosis, is already very advanced.
Hypertension and heart diseases can be quite easily averted or controlled with timely intervention through natural methods. Lifestyle and diet patterns are crucial to the health of your heart. Most health care providers and patients tend to rely heavily on prescription medications alone, instead of looking at other natural alternatives. Prescription medications are predictable in their effectiveness, which is why they are so highly valued but they also can cause reactions, particularly in patients already suffering from pre-existing medical conditions.
In most scenarios hypertension and the associated risk of heart disease can be easily avoided with some simple diet and lifestyle changes:
Diet:
• Commercially produced salt has a very high sodium content, so it is important that you limit your salt intake.
• Eliminate all salty snacks and junk foods like chips and fries.
• Almost all canned foods are also loaded with salt, so avoid consuming any of these.
• Pickles, packaged olives and ketchups or soy sauce should also be avoided as far as possible.
• Most soft drinks have a high content of sodium and other artificial ingredients and are best avoided.
• Avoid fatty foods, fried foods, and caffeinated or carbonated drinks. Hard liquors should also be avoided but moderate quantities of certain alcoholic drinks like wine are healthy.
• Plant based foods are low in unhealthy fats and sodium while high in nutritious value. Include plenty of whole grains, fruits and veggies and legumes in your diet.
• Green vegetable juices offer significant health benefits and can be added to your daily diet.
• Herbal teas are also excellent for circulation and detoxifying your system.
Lifestyle:
• Follow a regular routine, and eat smaller meals more frequently rather than a few large meals.
• Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your heart as the chemicals in tobacco constrict your blood vessels.
• Try not get stressed out and learn to consciously relax. Relaxation is extremely important since stress is a major contributor to hypertension and heart disease. Aromatherapy, massages, and meditation can all help relax.
• Lear to take a break and go on a holiday just to have fun. The happier and more relaxed you are the lower the chances of developing heart disease.
• Exercise or physical fitness activities are important and even daily walks, cycling and swimming would help significantly. Yoga would be the best choice as it can address various needs such as meditation and relaxation, as well as fitness and bodily health.
• Keep a check on your weight as obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Make it a point to check your blood pressure regularly, irrespective of whether you suffer any condition or not.
If you find these recommendations to be cumbersome and the diet choices unappetizing remember that prevention is the only effective treatment. Although restrictive, a lifestyle that is disciplined is preferable to one that is rigid and devoid of choices.
