Blood pressure is commonly monitored since it is a good diagnostic of how well the heart and circulatory system are working. Many factors, both physical and psychological, affect blood pressure and how the heart functions. One factor, the amount of electrolytes in the blood, can sometimes be influenced by the foods we eat.
What Is Blood Pressure?
The heart is a complex muscular pump whose primary function is to circulate blood throughout the body. It performs this by contracting and forcing blood through a closed system of blood vessels. The contraction is similar to squeezing a balloon with your fist. The force causes the pressure inside the balloon or heart to increase, driving blood through the circulatory system. When the heart relaxes the pressure is relieved but not completely, since there is always some force left behind. The squeezing and relaxation pressures in the circulatory system are known as systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively.
Changes in Blood Pressure
The heart normally operates within a range of pressures between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. However, sometimes factors such as exercise cause the heart to work harder, which causes blood pressure to temporarily elevate. This momentary change in blood pressure is normal. However, when blood pressure remains elevated on a chronic basis it is a condition called hypertension. Various factors can influence a person's tendency for hypertension. These include having a disease like diabetes, obesity, genetics, lifestyle and an electrolyte imbalance.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are particles that hold either a positive or negative charge. The electrolyte sodium, for example, has a positive charge, while chloride has a negative charge. Due to their charge, electrolytes are able to conduct electricity when dissolved in water. This fundamental physical property is what allows certain cells like neurons to transmit an electrical signal or heart cells to contract when stimulated by an electrical impulse. The body tightly regulates the balance of electrolytes since cells are very sensitive to even small changes in their concentrations.
Electrolytes and the Heart
When the delicate balance of one electrolyte relative to another in the blood is disturbed, the consequences on the heart can be significant. Electrolyte imbalance can result from conditions such as dehydration, disease, diarrhea, vomiting or consuming too much of one electrolyte. If you eat large quantities of sodium, the increased serum concentration of this electrolyte can elevate blood pressure. Irregular heartbeats, called fibrillations, also can result. On the other hand, low levels of potassium can result in heart palpitations. The American Heart Association advises to regularly eat vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy foods since they are rich in the electrolytes calcium, magnesium and potassium, which may help to control hypertension.
