Blood Pressure: A Silent Killer

Widely known as a ‘silent killer’ because its outward symptoms are so difficult to detect, high blood pressure or hypertension occurs as a result of increased resistance to blood flow of small blood vessels (arterioles), which have muscular walls. Most types of blood pressure are caused by the arterioles losing their ability to relax normally.

There is little doubt that good nutrition and healthy growth in childhood help to prevent high blood pressure as an adult. Diet may be especially important during pregnancy and the first few years of life. Even in the middle age, when it is normal for blood pressure to increase as part of natural aging process, the wrong kind of diet is still believed to contribute to unhealthily high blood pressure levels.

High blood pressure increases the risk of suffering a stroke because of the narrowing, or chance rupturing, of some of the delicate blood vessels in the brain. It may thicken or burst the tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye, resulting in blurred vision or even blindness. It can also damage the kidneys and lead to renal failure.

To help reduce hypertension

Eat plenty of:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Oily Fish

Avoid

• Salty foods and added salt
• Pickled foods
• Fats, especially saturated fats
• Excessive amount of alcohol

Understanding Blood Pressure Measurements

When measuring blood pressure – expressed in millimeters of mercury – two readings are taken. One, the systolic, is the pressure when the heart contracts. The other, the diastolic, is the pressure when the heart relaxes.

Systolic pressure is given first; a reading of 120/80 (an average reading for a fit young person) means a systolic pressure of 120 mm and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm.

A fit middle-aged person might have a reading of 135/90. Between 140/90 and 160/110 indicates mild hypertension. Readings above this, point to severe hypertension. Depending on an individual’s medical history, a blood pressure reading as low as 95/60 can still be seen healthy.