2 days Ago By Steffan Rhys
High blood pressure, or hypertension as it's medically known, is a significant health risk that can precipitate severe conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. The NHS notes that this condition is particularly prevalent among older adults and often presents without any noticeable symptoms, meaning many people may unknowingly have it. There are numerous factors that can heighten your risk of developing high blood pressur e, some of which are hereditary.
These include advancing age (the risk increases as you get older), having immediate family members with high blood pressure, and belonging to certain ethnic groups (those of Black African, Black Caribbean, or South Asian descent face higher risks). However, lifestyle choices also play a crucial role in determining your risk of high blood pressure. Habits such as smoking, consuming alcohol, being overweight , and enduring prolonged stress can all contribute.
Two foods that can slash cholesterol 'similar to statins' according to experts Cutting out one drink a day can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure Additionally, an unhealthy diet—particularly one rich in salt—is a significant risk factor. One food item that nutritionists caution against due to its high salt content, and thus potential to increase the risk of high blood pressure, is processed meats, reports Surrey Live . Recent research suggests that just a small amount of processed meat—merely 17 grams daily—could elevate one’s chances of developing hypertension, as found in a 2024 joint study by academics from three Brazilian universities.
The study highlighted "the increased risk of developing hypertension is associated with moderate and high consumption of processed meats" but clarified it was "not [associated] with consumption of red meat". "Deli meat is one of those foods where the sodium content can be surprisingly high," Drew Hemler, a registered dietitian and faculty member at Buffalo State University, shared with Eating Well. He pointed out, "A standard three-ounce portion - just a few slices - can deliver a serious sodium hit.
" Patricia Bannan, a registered dietitian and writer, further warned Eating Well readers by saying, "high sodium content may cause your body to retain water, increasing blood volume and putting extra pressure on your blood vessel walls, which directly impacts blood pressure". The cholesterol risks presented by processed meats add another layer of concern. These food items tend to be significantly saltier than their unprocessed counterparts, contributing not only to preservation and shelf life but also to their addictive flavor.
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Woman had hysterectomy after doctors wrongly diagnosed her with cancer Statins side effects, study shows how many people are affected by drug 5 health problems that could raise your risk of dementia A cancer dietitian has made a stark declaration, stating that processed meats are among the rare foods directly causing cancer, the other being alcohol, as per Nichole Andrews' remarks. This bold statement is supported by findings from Cancer Research UK, which confirms: "We know for definite that processed meat is a cause of cancer. We are as sure of this link as we are for other proven causes of cancer, like tobacco and alcohol.
" Furthermore, both processed meat and alcohol have been designated as Group 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating their established carcinogenic effects on humans. The WHO clarifies: "This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. In other words, there is convincing evidence that the agent causes cancer.
" What is processed meat? According to WHO, processed meat is defined as "meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation." This often includes pork or beef, but can also encompass other red meats, poultry, and more. Examples include: hot dogs (frankfurters) ham sausages corned beef biltong or beef jerky canned meat meat-based preparations and sauces.
What is high blood pressure? High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force exerted by your blood against your blood vessel walls is excessively high. Prolonged high blood pressure can inflict damage on these vessel walls, leading to tears. The American Heart Association explains that the body responds by dispatching special cells to repair these tears.
Over time, substances like cholesterol and fats may accumulate at these damaged sites. This buildup narrows the arteries' interior, obstructing blood flow and making the heart work harder, thereby escalating blood pressure even further. This could potentially lead to heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and even kidney failure.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure? Interestingly, high blood pressure typically doesn't present any noticeable symptoms, which means many people might have it without being aware. The only surefire way to determine if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked, usually at a doctor's office or pharmacy, where a cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated until it feels snug. On rare occasions, high blood pressure can cause symptoms like: headaches blurred vision chest pain shortness of breath nose bleeds How is blood pressure measured? Blood pressure is gauged in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is represented by two numbers: systolic pressure: the pressure when your heart pushes blood out around your body diastolic pressure: the pressure when your heart rests between beats and blood is pushed around your heart.
The results are then presented in the following format: Normal blood pressure: Blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure: The top number ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg and the bottom number is below, not above, 80 mm Hg. Stage 1 hypertension: The top number ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
Stage 2 hypertension: The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher. A blood pressure reading exceeding 180/120 mm Hg is deemed a hypertensive emergency or crisis, necessitating immediate medical attention..
