Blood pressure measures the force the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries. Doctors measure blood pressure in two measurements; the top number, or systolic, indicates the force when the heart contracts while the diastolic, or lower number, measures the force when the heart rests. Blood pressure readings of 140 mmHg or higher over 90 mmHg or higher indicate high blood pressure --- a condition that increases the risk for heart disease, heart failure, kidney failure and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Because diet plays a major role in regulating blood pressure, patients with high blood pressure should avoid certain foods and drinks.
Fatty Foods
Eating a diet filled with fatty foods, especially foods containing saturated fats, contributes to an increase in cholesterol, a waxy-like substance. Too much cholesterol and fat flowing through the blood can cause arteries to clog. As cholesterol, along with fat and minerals in the blood, accumulates it forms a substance known as plaque. This process, known as atherosclerosis, causes an increase in blood pressure since the blood encounters resistance when flowing through the arteries. High blood pressure in turn damages the walls of the arteries, which attracts platelets, cholesterol and fat to accumulates, forming plaques. Therefore a diet containing large amounts of fatty foods begins a chain reaction that can lead to more serious medical conditions, such as coronary heart disease or stroke, as described by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Salty Foods
Table salt, also referred to as sodium, acts as an electrolyte in the body, which means that it helps to conduct electrical impulses. This function makes it necessary for healthy nerves, heart function and blood pressure regulation. In excess, however, salt contributes to high blood pressure by increasing the volume of blood. An increase in volume means the heart must contract harder to move the added volume through the arteries. The average person in the United States consumes 6,900 to 9,000 mg of salt per day while the body only requires 500 mg, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Those with high blood pressure should avoid eating salty foods, such as canned vegetables, soups and processed foods to cut their salt intake to 1,500 mg or less each day, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Alcohol
Alcohol affects many functions in the body, including blood pressure. Drinking just three alcoholic beverages can temporarily raise blood pressure, according to doctors at MayoClinic.com. Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks on a regular basis can contribute to chronic high blood pressure. Those with high blood pressure should therefore avoid drinking alcohol, or at least cut back to a moderate or occasional level.
References
- American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Atherosclerosis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: High Blood Pressure---Tips to Stop the Silent Killer
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Your Guide To Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH
- MayoClinic.com: Alcohol---Does it Affect Blood Pressure?
