Blood pressure, the measure of the force of blood against the walls of arteries, contributes to overall health. Doctors diagnose patients with blood pressure readings of 140 mmHg or more and/or 90 mmHg or more with high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. Those with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, have an increased risk of developing more serious problems such as heart disease, heart failure, kidney failure or stroke. Besides taking medications, patients can control their blood pressure through following heart healthy diets and getting exercise.
Atherosclerosis
The added force of blood against the walls of blood vessels, caused by high blood pressure, damages the artery walls. The site of damage attracts platelets to aggregate which in turn attracts fats, cholesterol and minerals to accumulate forming a substance called plaque. As plaque forms, the arteries become narrow restricting the flow of blood. This process, known as atherosclerosis, worsens high blood pressure and can lead to coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke. Eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol decreases the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Kidney Damage
The kidneys function to remove waste products from the blood. They also filter out excess salts and excess fluid which helps to regulate blood pressure. When high blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, they cannot filter effectively. When kidneys do not remove excess fluids, the blood volume increases which contributes to high blood pressure, therefore creating a dangerous cycle as described by the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Controlling blood pressure through dietary changes is therefore important for kidney function.
Low-Fat Diets
Eating a diet low in fat, especially saturated fats, can help decrease blood pressure. Many low-fat diets emphasize eating whole grain foods, made from grains still containing the bran, germ and endosperm, fruits and vegetables. The American Heart Association recommends limiting fat intake to less than 25 to 35 percent of the total calories, while limiting the saturated fat intake to less than 7 percent of the total calories to help lower blood pressure.
Low-Sodium Diets
The body needs sodium, commonly called salt, for proper nerve signally, maintenance of a rhythmic heartbeat and blood pressure regulation. Although the average person only needs 500mg per day, most in the United States consume 6,900 to 9,000mg of sodium each day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Because salt attracts water, the excess salt causes an increase in blood volume which causes high blood pressure. Low-salt diets strive to restrict the intake of salt to a moderate 2,300mg per day, although those who suffer from high blood pressure should consume less than 1,500mg per day, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
DASH Diet
The National Institutes of Health along with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommend patients with high blood pressure follow the DASH---Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension---diet. The DASH diet promotes changing eating habits to include eating fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk and whole grains while limiting meats, sugars and sweets. DASH provides a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-sodium way of eating to promote healthy blood pressure readings.
References
- American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease
- 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
- American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
