Hypertension is a common chronic disease. In our country, whether in first-tier developed cities or underdeveloped areas, the prevalence of hypertension remains high.
Once one has hypertension, one must be cautious about the potential significant harm to the body. For example, damages to the heart, brain, and kidneys, clinically manifested as myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, renal failure, etc.
The use of antihypertensive drugs can not only effectively control blood pressure but also prevent or reduce damage to organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. In order to fully utilize the efficacy of the medication and achieve the desired antihypertensive effect, it is better to avoid certain foods after taking the medication.
The reasons for elevated blood pressure may be related to the following factors, so it is advisable to make changes sooner:
1. High mental stress
Today, people’s living conditions and quality of life have undergone significant changes, but more and more people are under considerable stress.
If one is under high stress regularly, it is highly likely to affect normal life, increase the burden on the body, and keep the nervous system under tension, which is not conducive to blood pressure stability. This can even lead to continuous elevation of blood pressure.
So, to avoid having persistently high blood pressure, it is recommended that you learn to release stress independently and maintain a pleasant mood.
2. Disease factors
Diseases that contribute to the development of hypertension include kidney diseases, such as glomerulonephritis leading to water and sodium retention, increasing peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure; and vascular diseases like atherosclerosis, causing abnormalities in endothelial cell function within blood vessels, leading to reduced elasticity of large arteries and increased blood pressure.
3. Genetic factors
Hypertension has a certain relationship with genetic factors, but it’s not absolute. If there are cases of hypertension among parents or in the family, the offspring have a certain likelihood of developing hypertension.
4. Social factors
In this fast-paced era, many people experience excessive stress, which can trigger anxiety, leading to elevated blood pressure over time.
Doctors remind: People who take antihypertensive drugs for a long time should try to avoid eating these 5 types of foods:
1. Pickles
According to traditional Chinese medicine, “excessive salt consumption affects the blood.” Consuming salty foods can regulate the osmotic pressure balance of cells and blood, and salt and water metabolism. “Huangdi Neijing” mentions, “frequent intake of salt makes the pulse stagnate and change color.” Prolonged consumption of pickles and similar salty foods can further raise blood pressure, potentially triggering cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
2. Milk
Milk contains a lot of calcium. Many people have the habit of drinking milk before bed, which not only provides nutrition to the body but also improves sleep and prevents osteoporosis.
However, for hypertensive patients, it is advisable to avoid drinking milk during the medication period to avoid dizziness and formation of indigestible lumps that may not be absorbed promptly by the body, affecting the blood pressure-lowering effects.
3. Oranges
Many people enjoy eating oranges for their high content of vitamins, especially when deficient. They can supplement the body with more nutrients.
Particularly the potassium element inside, suitable for those lacking potassium in the body. Many people may experience potassium deficiencies after long-term use of antihypertensive drugs. However, it’s not suitable to take oranges as a supplement because oranges and antihypertensive drugs mutually inhibit each other, affecting the effectiveness of the medication.
4. Greasy foods
In daily life, many people enjoy consuming greasy foods, but it is advisable for hypertensive patients to limit consumption. If one consumes oily foods after taking antihypertensive drugs, it can not only impact the drug’s efficacy but also cause fluctuations in blood pressure within the body.
Whether you have hypertension or not, it is best to reduce the consumption of greasy foods to lower the risk of developing diseases.
5. Alcoholic beverages
People often say, “Wine is a grain’s spirit, the more you drink, the younger you get.” For those who enjoy drinking, this phrase might be common. However, it is widely known that alcohol consumption harms the liver.
Long-term drinking leads to the need for the liver to metabolize and eliminate alcohol components, eventually burdening the liver, potentially causing fatty liver, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, and threatening blood pressure stability.
Hypertensive patients, practicing these several things regularly may assist in maintaining stable blood pressure:
1. Strictly take antihypertensive drugs
Once diagnosed with high blood pressure, hypertensive patients require lifelong intake of antihypertensive drugs to stabilize blood pressure levels and prevent the emergence of other complications. During medication, also strictly follow the doctor’s guidance.
Avoid being too casual with medications in daily life, do not self-adjust dosage or switch medications randomly, and assess based on personal circumstances while taking medications.
2. Increase intake of dietary fiber
Hypertensive patients should consume more dietary fiber to alleviate constipation. Many hypertensive patients, especially the elderly, often experience constipation. Straining during bowel movements due to constipation can rapidly increase blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular accidents potentially.
3. Engage in regular exercise
People lacking exercise are more likely to develop hypertension than those who enjoy being physically active. Therefore, hypertensive patients should engage in suitable physical activities to assist in lowering blood pressure. Physical activity can dilate blood vessels during exercise, gradually reducing blood pressure and preventing harm from elevated blood pressure.
4. Maintain emotional stability
While ensuring stable blood pressure, it’s essential to maintain a positive outlook and control personal emotions steadily. One should avoid major emotional fluctuations over trivial matters.
Some individuals often generate negative emotions, experience anxiety, stress, and are quick to anger, affecting endocrine balance, reducing resistance, and eventually causing blood pressure fluctuations. Those who regulate their emotional balance correctly will have more stable blood pressure.
5. Control body weight
Maintain a healthy weight range and reduce overweight and obesity impacts on blood pressure adequately. Through balanced nutrition and moderate physical activity, control caloric intake and increase physical activity.
6. Maintain good lifestyle habits
Hypertension is closely related to lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and excessive fatigue, all of which can increase the occurrence of high blood pressure.
Therefore, hypertensive patients should adopt scientific lifestyle habits, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, engage in moderate exercise, maintain a positive mindset, etc., to help reduce the incidence of hypertension.
Further reading: What constitutes high blood pressure?
Blood pressure generally ranging from 140 to 159 mmHg is considered high blood pressure.
Normally, ideal blood pressure is below 120 mmHg/80 mmHg. If the systolic pressure is equal to or greater than 140 mmHg or the diastolic pressure is equal to or greater than 90 mmHg, without using antihypertensive drugs, it can be termed as high blood pressure.
Warm reminder: It is recommended to regularly monitor related parameters, observe one’s physical condition, and prevent any discomfort.
