(Hypertension)
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- What is high blood pressure?
- Symptoms of high blood pressure
- Causes of high blood pressure
- Prevention of high blood pressure
- Risk factors for high blood pressure
- Complications of high blood pressure
- When to see a doctor about high blood pressure
- Diagnosis of high blood pressure
- Conventional treatment of high blood pressure
- Alternative/complementary treatment of high blood pressure
- Living with high blood pressure
- Caregiving for someone with high blood pressure
Prevention of high blood pressure
There is little that can be done to prevent any of the risk factors that are known to be unpreventable. These unpreventable risk factors are associated with the following:
- Age - higher blood pressure is associated with age, the older you are, the more at risk you are for developing high blood pressure, as the heart may not work as efficiently because the arteries may be more clogged up with plaque and cholesterol. People over 65 have more incidence of high blood pressure and this is difficult to prevent. The only way to reduce risk of complications is to take medication, modify the diet and lifestyle
- Genetics - some people are just genetically predisposed to developing high blood pressure irrespective of any other risk factors and there is very little that can be done to prevent it from occurring
- Type 1 diabetes - people who have type 1 diabetes, the form of diabetes where the body stops producing insulin for reasons yet unknown by science are more susceptible to developing high blood pressure, a highly unpreventable condition associated with all forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by improper diet or lifestyle factors, it just occurs without any known reason, seemingly at random
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There are though, a number of risk factors which can prevented in order to possibly reduce the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) developing in the first place:
- Do not smoke - studies show that people who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension); people who smoke and who have high blood pressure need to find a strategy which helps them give it up
- Do not drink - studies show that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is associated with high blood pressure (hypertension). All forms of excessive drinking, especially if it continues long term, is associated with the risk of developing high blood pressure; it is not recommended to drink more than 1-2 standard drinks for women and 2-3 standard drinks for men each day, 4-5 times per week and have 2-3 non-alcohol days per week
- Exercise regularly - studies show that people who exercise regularly are at a lower risk for all types of degenerative health conditions (of which high blood pressure is one). People should aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to help keep their heart and blood pressure healthy
- Follow a healthy diet - a healthy diet is the best defence against most types of degenerative health problems (such as high blood pressure), because good nutrition is the basis of good health. A healthy diet, which is lower in saturated fat, lower in salt and higher in vegetables, fruit and wholegrains, with a small amount of animal-based protein mostly prevents the development of a number of degenerative health problems, including high blood pressure
- Reduce intake of processed foods - almost all processed foods are high in sodium (as well as being high in saturated fat and calories and low in nutrients). People with high blood pressure need to have less salt and not more, so reducing intake of processed foods also reduces intake of sodium (salt), saturate fat and calories
- Reduce salt intake - many people with high blood pressure have a sensitivity to salt (sodium), where their blood pressure rises in direct relation to eating foods high in salt. There are few natural, unprocessed foods that are high in salt
- Reduce saturated fat intake - studies show that a high intake of saturated fat is associated with plaque build up in the main arteries of the heart and high blood pressure. Saturated fat is found in: all animal meats, seafood, poultry, animal products such as eggs and full fat dairy (lower fat dairy still has some saturated fat, but not as much as full fat) and coconut
- Reduce stress - when people experience stress, it can cause a slight and temporary increase in blood pressure, which can be permanent if the stress is also permanent. The best ways to deal with stress are through meditation, yoga, tai chi and any other form of relaxation
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< 3:causes 5:risk factors > Last reviewed: 10 January 2009 || Last updated: 24 February 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
