Introduction: According to the relevant data released by the National Health Commission, the prevalence of hypertension in China among adults has been showing an upward trend year by year. In 2019, the incidence rate had reached around 27.6%, indicating the presence of approximately 220 million hypertensive patients.
In addition, there is still a significant room for improvement in the treatment and control rates of hypertension. Among these, the reasonable treatment rate is only 30.18%.
Hypertension is one of the important risk factors leading to heart disease, kidney disease, and certain cardiovascular diseases, so it is crucial and important to control one’s blood pressure level effectively.
The diagnostic criteria for adult hypertension are:
Systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg; Self-measured blood pressure at home: Systolic blood pressure ≥135mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥85mmHg; 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: Average systolic blood pressure ≥130mmHg and/or average diastolic blood pressure ≥80mmHg.
In the diagnosis of hypertension, besides the data on blood pressure values, other risk factors such as blood lipids, age, gender, and blood sugar need to be considered.
If one finds that their blood pressure values exceed the standard levels, it is necessary to perform relevant measurements at multiple time points and record them to confirm the presence of hypertension issues.
What complications can prolonged high blood pressure lead to?
Heart disease
The heart disease induced by hypertension is known as hypertensive heart disease, primarily due to poorly controlled blood pressure for a prolonged period resulting in consistently high blood pressure levels.
At this point, it can exert pressure on the heart, leading to changes in heart structure and function. Clinical data also shows that 69.8% of heart failures in clinical practice are related to hypertension.
Hypertensive nephropathy
Hypertension and kidney disease are closely related, as the kidney is a vital organ responsible for detoxification, excretion, and metabolism.
When blood pressure levels are elevated, it can increase pressure within the blood vessels, leading to elevated blood pressure. As a result, proteins hardened by arterial sclerosis flow into the urine, which can eventually damage the kidney structure over time, making it more prone to developing hypertensive kidney disease.
Cerebrovascular disease
The emergence and progression of atherosclerosis are closely associated with the occurrence of hypertension. During the continuous rise in blood pressure, the endothelium of the arteries is continuously damaged, leading to lesions, narrowing, or thickening of the arterial lumen.
Once the carotid and vertebral arteries of the brain narrow, leading to occlusion, it can result in embolism, ultimately causing cerebral infarction. For hypertensive patients, besides following medical advice and rational medication, diet is crucial. In our daily lives, some people think that hypertensive patients should not eat walnuts. But is there scientific basis for this belief?
Can hypertensive patients eat walnuts?
Walnuts are a common nut in our daily lives, rich in nutrients, and eating them regularly can help boost brain function, enhancing memory and brain activity.
This is not only because the shape of walnut kernels is similar to our brain, but also due to certain nutrients in walnuts that can enhance brain activity, improve memory, and brain function.
However, walnuts are rich in fats, and many people believe that if hypertensive patients consume walnuts in large quantities daily, it could lead to fat accumulation in the body and affect blood concentrations and blood pressure. Therefore, it is not recommended for hypertensive patients to consume walnuts.
Regular consumption of walnuts can effectively reduce the absorption of lipid substances in the intestines, especially suitable for hypertensive patients, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease patients to consume.
Walnuts are a warm-natured food. Eating walnuts moderately not only nourishes the brain and kidneys but also enhances immunity and resistance, making it suitable for mental workers, youth, and the elderly to consume.
Although walnuts are rich in nutritional value and suitable for people of all ages, excessive intake can lead to the consumption of excess fats and oils, which can result in health issues. Therefore, it is essential to control the intake of walnuts. It is generally recommended that each person eats 3-5 walnuts per day, as moderate intake promotes better body health, while excessive intake can lead to health problems and increase blood pressure levels.
Reminder: The four foods that are not recommended to eat, you should know
Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots are a popular and beloved food in southern regions, known for their crisp and refreshing taste and high nutritional value.
Eating bamboo shoots in moderation can effectively promote gastrointestinal motility because bamboo shoots contain fiber that can enhance appetite, help prevent constipation; however, people with elevated blood pressure levels are not suitable to consume bamboo shoots frequently. The fiber in bamboo shoots is hard and not easily absorbed and utilized by the body, which can affect normal blood circulation and be unfavorable for maintaining stable blood pressure levels.
High Sugar Foods
High-sugar foods are popular in daily life, especially enjoyed by women who like to indulge in some high-sugar treats during leisure time.
Excessive intake of sugar can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of blood vessel damage and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the intake of beverages, sweets, and candies with high sugar content in daily life to better protect the cardiovascular system and help slow the rise in blood pressure.
Red Chilies
Many people enjoy spicy food in their daily lives, but for hypertensive patients, a bland diet is recommended, reducing the intake of red chilies.
Especially red chilies contain a large amount of capsaicin, which is a pungent and stimulating substance. Regular intake of such substances can stimulate blood vessels, increase blood pressure levels, and raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases, so extra attention is needed.
Pickled Vegetables
Many elderly people are particularly fond of pickled vegetables. They not only enjoy a small plate of pickled vegetables when eating noodles or porridge but also include pickled vegetables in stir-fries.
However, during the pickling process, a large amount of additives and salt are added to the pickled vegetables. Once these enter the body, it is equivalent to consuming excessive salt. For hypertensive patients, the most taboo thing is salt intake. Excessive sodium ions in the body can affect vascular circulation, which can further increase blood pressure.
The three fruits that are a boon for hypertensive patients, a natural antihypertensive remedy so you don’t have to worry about reducing blood pressure:
Kiwi
Kiwi, also known as the kiwifruit, is rich in vitamin C. Regular consumption of kiwi can effectively supplement alkaline substances and sodium elements, effectively stabilizing and controlling blood pressure and helping to reduce cholesterol levels.
Banana
Bananas are rich in potassium, with every 100 grams containing approximately 336 milligrams of potassium. According to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines, adults need to consume 2000 milligrams of potassium daily.
Especially for hypertensive patients, it is important to focus on potassium supplementation and rational potassium intake to better eliminate sodium ions, thereby stabilizing blood pressure levels.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn has a sweet and sour taste, promoting digestion, improving appetite, and helping to stabilize blood pressure levels.
This is mainly due to its rich content of malic acid and flavonoids, which when consumed, can enhance blood circulation and help stabilize blood pressure levels.
