Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious chronic condition affecting about 60 million Americans, ages 6 and older, according to 2008 information from Kids Health. Left untreated, hypertension can result in serious health consequences. Controlling hypertension can require both dietary and pharmacological treatments.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure caused by your heart pumping blood throughout your body. Normal body pressure is a value less than 120/80 mm Hg. The top number refers to your systolic blood pressure, which is the resistance caused by your heart pumping. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in your arteries while your heart is resting.
Understanding Hypertension
High blood pressure or hypertension is defined by having a blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg. Hypertension often has no symptoms, which means it can go untreated for years. If untreated, hypertension causes structural and functional changes to your blood vessels and your heart, which can lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Potassium and Hypertension
The National Institutes of Health developed "Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension," or the "DASH" diet, to lower blood pressure without the use of medication. The DASH diet recommends the increase of fruits and vegetables, some of which have a high potassium content. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some studies link low levels of potassium in the diet with high blood pressure. Additionally, there is some evidence that potassium supplements might cause a slight drop in blood pressure; however, there is also conflicting evidence, so you should talk to your doctor before increasing your potassium intake or taking supplements to reduce your blood pressure.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin is a protein involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Angiotensin converting enzyme, or ACE, converts angiotensin to its active form, which functions to increase blood pressure through salt and water retention. ACE inhibitors treat hypertension by preventing angiotensin from being converted to its active form. ACE inhibitors are used to treat hypertension and slow the progression of hypertensive disorders such as diabetic nephropathy.
References
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); March 22, 2011
- Annual Review of Nutrition: The Effect of Nutrition on Blood Pressure.
- MayoClinic.com: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors; Dec. 16, 2010
- Kids Health; Understanding Blood Pressure; Aug. 2008
- DashDiet.org: The DASH Diet Action Plan
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Potassium; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; May 6, 2009
