Globally, hypertension has become a major health hazard. According to the “Global Hypertension Report”, one-third of adults are affected, totaling up to 1.3 billion individuals.
This huge number highlights the prevalence and severity of hypertension worldwide. In China, according to the “2022 China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report”, the number of hypertension patients is close to 300 million, and there is a trend of increasing disease at a younger age, undoubtedly sounding the alarm for people’s health.
### Classification of Hypertension
– Mild hypertension refers to systolic pressure between 140-159mmHg and diastolic pressure between 90-99mmHg. Symptoms at this stage are mild, possibly only causing slight discomfort like headaches, dizziness, palpitations, etc.
– Moderate hypertension refers to systolic pressure between 160-179mmHg and diastolic pressure between 100-109mmHg. Symptoms at this stage are more pronounced, with possibilities of headaches, dizziness, palpitations, chest tightness, etc.
– Severe hypertension refers to systolic pressure over 180mmHg and diastolic pressure over 110mmHg. Symptoms at this stage are very severe, possibly leading to headaches, vomiting, palpitations, chest tightness, and even seizures, coma, and other serious consequences.
Does Alcohol Cause Hypertension?
For those already with hypertension or other cardiovascular disease risk factors (such as obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.), it is best to limit alcohol consumption or avoid it. Because alcohol consumption may increase these risk factors, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
For others, moderate alcohol consumption may not have a significant impact on blood pressure. However, if you are concerned about your blood pressure or cardiovascular health, it is best to consult a doctor or health professional for advice.
The “Source” of Hypertension is Identified, Not Related to Alcohol. Doctors: Resist Eating to Win
– Salty Foods
Salty foods include pickles, sauces, sports drinks, cold noodles, sandwich cookies, etc.
Salt, one of the five flavors, is a taste that people cannot do without. However, consuming too much salty food is more likely to induce high blood pressure. In clinical practice, 95% of hypertension patients have primary hypertension.
Experts believe that a high-salt diet is the main culprit causing hypertension. Excessive salt intake under the osmotic pressure effect will increase the extracellular fluid, increase blood volume, and simultaneously increase the venous return volume, cardiac chamber filling volume, and output, leading to elevated blood pressure.
– Greasy Foods
Common greasy foods in daily life include fatty pork, grilled meat, and fried foods, all of which are prepared through high-oil cooking methods. Hypertensive patients must control these foods.
Although these foods taste good and can satisfy people’s cravings, consuming high-fat foods regularly can make the blood thicker, leading to problems like high blood lipids.
– High-Sugar Diet
In recent years, more and more studies have pointed out a close relationship between high-sugar diet and hypertension. Excessive sugar intake in the body converts to fat, leading to weight gain, obesity, and other issues.
Obesity is indeed one of the important risk factors for hypertension. Furthermore, a high-sugar diet can cause insulin resistance, inflammatory reactions, and other physiological changes, further exacerbating the development of hypertension.
– Spicy Foods
Blood pressure and spicy foods do not have a direct relationship with each other. Chilies mainly contain a large amount of capsaicin, which, when consumed, will stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing damage to the gastric mucosa, hormone disruption, gastrointestinal dysfunction, leading to symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, but will not cause changes in blood pressure.
Hypertension is mainly caused by excessive secretion of adrenaline after excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to an increase in systolic or diastolic pressure. The main risk factors for the disease are related to genetic factors.
However, individuals with hypertension who consume too many spicy foods may become overly excited and restless, which can have a certain “impact” on blood pressure. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on a light diet in daily life.
– Coffee
Caffeine is considered a central nervous system stimulant that can enhance a person’s nerve system, increase alertness, and vigilance.
However, caffeine can also affect the cardiovascular system, leading to high blood pressure. Some studies suggest that individuals who drink coffee long-term have a higher risk of hypertension, yet other studies indicate that moderate consumption of coffee may not have a negative impact on blood pressure.
This could be due to individual differences, habits of coffee consumption, varying quantities, and other factors influencing research results. Nonetheless, for those already with hypertension, controlling caffeine intake remains an essential measure.
Beating hypertension requires only four things to be done, consistency every day, reducing complications
– Regulate Emotions
The most crucial aspect of maintaining health is to control blood pressure rationally. Individuals already developing hypertension need to learn to control emotions, maintain emotional stability because fluctuations in emotions can lead to changes in blood pressure.
Frequent anger can disrupt endocrine function after negative emotions occur, resulting in increased secretion of adrenaline in the body, causing changes in blood pressure under the effects of hormones. Those who know how to regulate their bodies will control their emotions, nurture themselves during the illness, and stay positive.
– Moderate Exercise
People who are prone to high blood pressure ought to pay attention to exercise. Exercise is an effective measure to dilate blood vessels and promote blood circulation, which helps stabilize blood pressure.
Therefore, individuals aiming to prevent blood pressure spikes should pay attention to exercise, as maintaining stable blood pressure reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
– Balanced Diet
Understanding which foods cause blood pressure fluctuations and making reasonable dietary restrictions in daily life can help control hypertension.
Many people are casual about diet, selecting food based solely on their preferences and tastes, often indulging in unfriendly cholesterol-rich foods, alcoholic foods, high-salt foods, high-sugar foods without moderation, accelerating the progression of the disease.
Being aware of dietary taboos, being scientific in diet, ensuring adequate nutrition, and simultaneously stabilizing blood pressure can go a long way.
– Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Tobacco contains nicotine, which stimulates the central and sympathetic nervous systems, accelerating heart rate while causing the release of large amounts of adrenaline from the adrenal glands, resulting in arterial constriction and elevated blood pressure. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption has no benefits and is detrimental. Drinking high-concentration alcohol can lead to arteriosclerosis, exacerbating hypertension.
Hypertension is not frightening, what’s frightening is having hypertension and not controlling it, consuming alcohol, smoking, eating oily foods, all of which undeniably contribute to worsening hypertension. Do not underestimate the seriousness of hypertension; it could snatch your life in minutes! For hypertension patients, the primary focus should be on maintaining stable blood pressure!
