Source: timesnownews.com
New Delhi: Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death, all around the world. One heart condition is linked with almost all fatal heart diseases and disorders like attacks, stroke, failure, etc, and that is high blood pressure. High BP or hypertension can be caused due to a variety of reasons, some of which include a diet high in salt, high-cholesterol diet, and unhealthy lifestyle.
Salt-sensitive hypertension is linked with a diet high in salt. According to a new report, immune cells in the kidneys shoot out free radicals, when one suffers from salt-sensitive hypertension. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure and may also damage the kidneys.
These reactive chemicals, also called reactive oxygen species or ROS are a byproduct of our body’s use of oxygen that our immune system uses to eliminate or kill harmful foreign bodies. At high levels, they can lead to various diseases from hypertension to cancer.
More physical activity and exercise
Studies have shown that exercise and more physical activity is healthy for the heart. When you exercise, your heart rate goes up temporarily. When this happens regularly, your heart becomes stronger and is able to pump blood with less effort. This can help in keeping your blood pressure under control.
Work towards losing weight
Obesity or BMI in an unhealthy range can increase the risk of various diseases, including heart conditions like high blood pressure. Try to lose weight, and fall in a healthy BMI range for your age and height. This will not only help you bring your blood pressure down but will also reduce the risk of other diseases like type 2 diabetes and kidney diseases. A healthy diet and more physical activity are key to losing weight – and both of those can also help to make your heart healthier.
Reduced intake of refined carbs, added sugar
Consuming foods which do not contain refined carbs and added sugar can help to make your heart healthier. According to research, the risk of high blood pressure reduced significantly by a low-carb diet, as compared to a low-fat diet. A low-carb diet can also help you lose weight by the process of ketosis, and also because the consumption of protein and fibre will help to keep you fuller for longer.
Reduce sodium intake, increase consumption of potassium
For salt-sensitive hypertension, it is extremely important that you reduce your intake of sodium. The consumption of the DASH diet can help in reducing your intake of salt, and therefore, intake of sodium.
Increasing the consumption of potassium can help reduce the effects of salt in your body, especially when you are salt-sensitive. However, excess consumption of potassium can be harmful to people with kidney problems.
A healthier lifestyle
Making healthy lifestyle choices like increasing mindfulness by meditation, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet in general, which avoids the intake of processed foods can help to keep your body healthy overall, and keep your blood pressure under control.