Imagine this:
You are a 35 year old man and your blood pressure
is 120/80.
Congrats – your life expectancy is 76 years
(assuming you are healthy otherwise).
Now imagine this:
You are a 35 year old man and your blood pressure
is 150/91.
Bummer – your life expectancy is 55 years.
Might want to let your kids know about this.
You are a 35 year old man and your blood pressure
is 120/80.
Congrats – your life expectancy is 76 years
(assuming you are healthy otherwise).
Now imagine this:
You are a 35 year old man and your blood pressure
is 150/91.
Bummer – your life expectancy is 55 years.
Might want to let your kids know about this.
What is high blood pressure?
Think of the water pipes in your house. The pressure in them allows water to
flow to sinks, tubs, and washers. Similarly, we need pressure in our blood
vessels so that blood can make its way to organs and tissues.
When you’re bumming around Walgreen’s late on a Saturday night and you decide
to test your blood pressure, the result comes back as two numbers. The top
number is the pressure in your arteries during a heartbeat. The bottom number is
the pressure in your arteries while your heart is resting between beats.
flow to sinks, tubs, and washers. Similarly, we need pressure in our blood
vessels so that blood can make its way to organs and tissues.
When you’re bumming around Walgreen’s late on a Saturday night and you decide
to test your blood pressure, the result comes back as two numbers. The top
number is the pressure in your arteries during a heartbeat. The bottom number is
the pressure in your arteries while your heart is resting between beats.
How to interpret your blood pressure results
Our bodies can regulate blood pressure in various ways.
- Pressure receptors in organs adjust the force and speed of the heart’s
contractions. For instance, when you go from lying down to standing, pressure
receptors sense this and trigger a brief increase in heart rate to keep
everything from sloshing into your feet. - The kidneys and adrenal glands adjust components in blood that influence
blood volume and fluid balance. Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) decreases urine
production. Aldosterone increases reabsorption of sodium (in exchange for
potassium) from the urine, sweat, saliva, and intestinal secretions. This draws
fluid back into your body and increases blood volume and blood pressure. - Receptors in blood vessels adjust their size and elasticity.
Why is high blood pressure a problem?
Just like water pipes, if the pressure is too high or too low, you have
problems. Imagine trying to use a garden hose to handle the pressure of a fire
hose. That gives you an idea of what happens to your blood vessels.
If the pressure in your vessels is too high each time your heart contracts,
damage can result.
problems. Imagine trying to use a garden hose to handle the pressure of a fire
hose. That gives you an idea of what happens to your blood vessels.
If the pressure in your vessels is too high each time your heart contracts,
damage can result.
- If this damage occurs to vessels of the eye, you could end up blind.
- If this damage occurs to vessels of the kidneys, you could end up on
dialysis. - If this damage occurs to vessels of the heart, you could end up with a heart
attack. - If this damage occurs to vessels of the brain, you could end up having a
stroke or developing Alzheimer’s. - If this damage occurs to vessels in the legs/arms, you could end up with
peripheral vascular disease.
For each increment of 20 mm Hg (a measurement of blood pressure),
cardiovascular disease risk doubles.
cardiovascular disease risk doubles.
High blood pressure and preventable deaths
In 2005, 395,000 Americans died due to high blood pressure. In terms of
individual risk factors for preventable health conditions, only smoking causes
more deaths.
individual risk factors for preventable health conditions, only smoking causes
more deaths.
Preventable causes of death in the U.S. (Image source:
Danaei G, et al. The preventable causes of death in the United States:
comparative risk assessment of dietary, lifestyle, and metabolic risk factors.
PLoS Med 2009;6:e10000058.)
High blood pressure doesn’t affect everyone equally. Your risk can also
depend on your sex, age, and racial-ethnic background. For instance, women are
more likely than men to suffer from high blood pressure if they are older.
depend on your sex, age, and racial-ethnic background. For instance, women are
more likely than men to suffer from high blood pressure if they are older.
Rates (% of each group) of high blood pressure, by sex
and age (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
In the US, African Americans have far higher rates
of high blood pressure than Mexican Americans or whites. Here again, women are
slightly more likely to have high blood pressure… unless they are white.
of high blood pressure than Mexican Americans or whites. Here again, women are
slightly more likely to have high blood pressure… unless they are white.
Rates (%) of high blood pressure, by sex and
racial-ethnic background (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
How to get high blood pressure under control
It’s pretty clear that high blood pressure is not only a health risk in and
of itself, but it also signals the presence of other underlying health
problems.
If you’re American, about 1 in 3 of you has high blood pressure. But you feel
fine? That’s because high blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms. You could be
at risk without knowing it.
So let’s talk about controlling it. Luckily, the things that control blood
pressure also keep you lean and fit. It’s win-win!
of itself, but it also signals the presence of other underlying health
problems.
If you’re American, about 1 in 3 of you has high blood pressure. But you feel
fine? That’s because high blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms. You could be
at risk without knowing it.
So let’s talk about controlling it. Luckily, the things that control blood
pressure also keep you lean and fit. It’s win-win!
Lose body fat (or stay lean)
Rule #1 for controlling blood pressure is stay lean. Extra
fat on the body needs extra blood vessels. And fat cells produce substances that
promote inflammation throughout the vessels and heart. Use the eyeball test
here. If you look fat, you are fat.
fat on the body needs extra blood vessels. And fat cells produce substances that
promote inflammation throughout the vessels and heart. Use the eyeball test
here. If you look fat, you are fat.
Move your body
Bad news – if you don’t regularly move your body, your risk of high blood
pressure can go up by 60%. Any type of regular physical movement is helpful here
(except moving your hand from the bag of chips to your mouth). Exercise seems to
be even more important for men.
Doing structured workouts can be especially effective in helping to lower
existing high blood pressure. We’re talking at least 5 hours of exercise per
week. And (up to a point) more is likely better. Just because you clean up the
bats for the company softball team doesn’t mean you are moving your body enough
to control blood pressure — check yourself.
All forms of exercise are useful here (including short bouts, long bouts, and
resistance training).
pressure can go up by 60%. Any type of regular physical movement is helpful here
(except moving your hand from the bag of chips to your mouth). Exercise seems to
be even more important for men.
Doing structured workouts can be especially effective in helping to lower
existing high blood pressure. We’re talking at least 5 hours of exercise per
week. And (up to a point) more is likely better. Just because you clean up the
bats for the company softball team doesn’t mean you are moving your body enough
to control blood pressure — check yourself.
All forms of exercise are useful here (including short bouts, long bouts, and
resistance training).
Intense exercise could be one of the best “preventive
blood pressure medications” you can take
However, if you already suffer from high blood pressure, use caution: Maximal
resistance training and using the Valsalva maneuver can bump up blood pressure
during lifting. If blood pressure is a concern for you, opt for shorter sets
with longer rests, and watch your heart rate between sets. (Maybe squat only six
plates instead of eight.)
Exercise helps to control insulin levels. Less insulin means less sympathetic
nervous system activation, less sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, and more
elasticity in blood vessels. Exercise also makes your heart more efficient.
Exercise alone can lower blood pressure by nearly 4 mm Hg (even without any
concurrent weight loss). A 5 mm Hg reduction in systolic BP can mean a 7%
reduction in all-cause mortality. That’s a good first step.
resistance training and using the Valsalva maneuver can bump up blood pressure
during lifting. If blood pressure is a concern for you, opt for shorter sets
with longer rests, and watch your heart rate between sets. (Maybe squat only six
plates instead of eight.)
Exercise helps to control insulin levels. Less insulin means less sympathetic
nervous system activation, less sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, and more
elasticity in blood vessels. Exercise also makes your heart more efficient.
Exercise alone can lower blood pressure by nearly 4 mm Hg (even without any
concurrent weight loss). A 5 mm Hg reduction in systolic BP can mean a 7%
reduction in all-cause mortality. That’s a good first step.
Dump the boozing and smoking
Alcohol has a somewhat contradictory relationship with blood pressure. A
little of the right type, enjoyed slowly and socially with a good meal, seems to
help. About one alcoholic beverage per day — especially red wine — can lower
blood pressure slightly (especially in women).
However, more is not better. Lots of booze leads to lots of blood
pressure.
And if you guessed that binge drinking on an empty stomach might not help
control blood pressure, you are correct. High alcohol intake can:
little of the right type, enjoyed slowly and socially with a good meal, seems to
help. About one alcoholic beverage per day — especially red wine — can lower
blood pressure slightly (especially in women).
However, more is not better. Lots of booze leads to lots of blood
pressure.
And if you guessed that binge drinking on an empty stomach might not help
control blood pressure, you are correct. High alcohol intake can:
- activate the sympathetic nervous system
- activate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (which controls fluid
levels in the body) - increase levels of stress hormones such as cortisol
- decrease production of nitric oxide (which normally helps relax blood
vessels, so if you have less nitric oxide, your blood vessels are going to be as
pliable as frozen rubber)
These are all bad things for controlling blood pressure.
We all know smoking is bad. Smoking increases blood pressure, so you might
want to find a new hobby.
We all know smoking is bad. Smoking increases blood pressure, so you might
want to find a new hobby.
Improve your nutrition
Diets built around whole, unprocessed plant foods can help control blood
pressure. People with existing high blood pressure who add more plants to their
diets can lower blood pressure into a healthy range — even if they don’t lose
weight.
Eating more plants improves your intake of arginine, lycopene, folate, fibre,
magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and vitamins C and E. All of these nutrients play
a role in controlling blood pressure.
But wait a second, what if someone just consumed a Western diet while
supplementing the aforementioned nutrients? Well, this might help a smidge, but
not enough to impress your blood vessels.
pressure. People with existing high blood pressure who add more plants to their
diets can lower blood pressure into a healthy range — even if they don’t lose
weight.
Eating more plants improves your intake of arginine, lycopene, folate, fibre,
magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and vitamins C and E. All of these nutrients play
a role in controlling blood pressure.
But wait a second, what if someone just consumed a Western diet while
supplementing the aforementioned nutrients? Well, this might help a smidge, but
not enough to impress your blood vessels.
Pressure-lowering plantsPlant foods rich in arginine: lentils, chickpeas, black
beans, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, Brazil nuts, coconut, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds Plant foods rich in lycopene: tomatoes, grapefruit, salsa, watermelon, guava, baked beans Plant foods rich in folate: leafy greens, lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, lentils Plant foods rich in fibre: beans, peas, nuts, seeds, whole fruits, whole vegetables, whole grains Plant foods rich in magnesium: black beans, broccoli, peanuts, okra, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, spinach, oats, artichokes, banana, barley, buckwheat, navy beans, corn, raw chocolate (aka cacao) Plant foods rich in potassium: apricots, avocado, banana, beets, potato, dates, melon, Brussels sprouts, oranges, pears, peanuts, raisins, spinach, squash Plant foods rich in sulfur compounds: garlic, onions, leeks, brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower), nuts; onions and garlic in particular are high in sulfur compounds that increase nitric oxide production Plant foods rich in vitamins C and E: green leafy vegetables, broccoli, potatoes, peas, oranges, mango, olives, avocado, tomatoes, apples, carrots, nuts, seeds, whole intact grains |
Here are 8 important dietary changes you can make to lower your blood
pressure.
1. Consume 1-2 servings of lower fat dairy each day.
Higher fat dairy doesn’t seem to have the same effect. Some studies suggest
that dairy might help to moderate insulin levels, although the evidence is mixed
— other studies have shown that dairy can be insulin-stimulating. Additionally,
research suggests that peptides released with cow’s milk can inhibit angiotensin
converting (ACE) enzyme, while a clinical trial showed that hydrolysate of
casein lowered arterial blood pressure.
pressure.
1. Consume 1-2 servings of lower fat dairy each day.
Higher fat dairy doesn’t seem to have the same effect. Some studies suggest
that dairy might help to moderate insulin levels, although the evidence is mixed
— other studies have shown that dairy can be insulin-stimulating. Additionally,
research suggests that peptides released with cow’s milk can inhibit angiotensin
converting (ACE) enzyme, while a clinical trial showed that hydrolysate of
casein lowered arterial blood pressure.
2. Get plenty of lean protein.
Protein dense foods help control insulin release. Plant proteins like
beans/legumes are also good substitutes for more refined carbohydrates.
beans/legumes are also good substitutes for more refined carbohydrates.
3. Consume at least 3 servings of intact whole grains each day.
This means whole grains such as brown rice, whole oat groats,
sprouted grain bread, quinoa, etc. Whole grains can improve blood vessel
elasticity.
sprouted grain bread, quinoa, etc. Whole grains can improve blood vessel
elasticity.
4. Consume 10-30 grams/day of dark chocolate.
Compounds in cocoa may help blood vessel elasticity. Plus, it makes you feel
groovy, and reducing stress is a great way to lower blood pressure!
groovy, and reducing stress is a great way to lower blood pressure!
5. Get enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with high blood pressure. Get blood levels
tested and supplement if necessary. And get outside for some sunlight, cubicle
moles! See All About Vitamin D for more.
tested and supplement if necessary. And get outside for some sunlight, cubicle
moles! See All About Vitamin D for more.
6. Balance your fat intake.
Get plenty of omega-3s from oily fish (and other marine life), wild-caught
game meats, and flax (ALA, EPA and DHA all seem to help – see here for more: All About
Healthy Fats). High omega-3 intake is linked to lower blood pressure, likely
because of omega-3s influence on eicosanoid production, which helps control
vessel dilation and platelet aggregation.
game meats, and flax (ALA, EPA and DHA all seem to help – see here for more: All About
Healthy Fats). High omega-3 intake is linked to lower blood pressure, likely
because of omega-3s influence on eicosanoid production, which helps control
vessel dilation and platelet aggregation.
7. Cut the sugar.
Americans eat about 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day, which might be
contributing to our rampant high blood pressure. Excess sugar can make us fat,
which can lead to high blood pressure.
And eating lots of added sugars may also activate the sympathetic nervous
system, decrease urinary sodium excretion, increase sodium absorption in the GI
tract, and decrease blood vessel nitric oxide. Not good.
contributing to our rampant high blood pressure. Excess sugar can make us fat,
which can lead to high blood pressure.
And eating lots of added sugars may also activate the sympathetic nervous
system, decrease urinary sodium excretion, increase sodium absorption in the GI
tract, and decrease blood vessel nitric oxide. Not good.
8. Supplement wisely — once your diet is excellent.
Once you have everything else under control, you can look into supplementing
things like Coenzyme Q10 and/or garlic.
things like Coenzyme Q10 and/or garlic.
Cut sodium intake…
It’s well established that dietary salt plays a role in regulating blood
pressure. More sodium means higher blood pressure; conversely, lowering sodium
lowers blood pressure too.
But don’t fear sprinkling a little salt into your homemade lentil soup. When
we talk about over-salted Americans, we’re talking about processed foods and
restaurants. About 80% of the sodium we consume comes from processed foods.
Going from standard salt-laden American eating (about 6,000 mg of sodium per
day) to consuming under 2300 mg of sodium per day can lower blood pressure 10
points in hypertensive folks, without any other changes.
pressure. More sodium means higher blood pressure; conversely, lowering sodium
lowers blood pressure too.
But don’t fear sprinkling a little salt into your homemade lentil soup. When
we talk about over-salted Americans, we’re talking about processed foods and
restaurants. About 80% of the sodium we consume comes from processed foods.
Going from standard salt-laden American eating (about 6,000 mg of sodium per
day) to consuming under 2300 mg of sodium per day can lower blood pressure 10
points in hypertensive folks, without any other changes.
…but not too much
We need some sodium, especially if we’re active. We need at least half a
teaspoon of salt each day for normal functioning. If you are really fit and
lean, you can get by with about 1 teaspoon of daily added salt.
Cutting salt too much when you don’t need to isn’t a good idea. If you
exercise and sweat a lot, you need more. And folks getting restrictive with salt
intake are at risk for iodine deficiency. For more on sodium, see All About
Sodium.
Many folks get hyper-focused on salt when it comes to blood pressure. But we
all respond to it differently. A high salt intake is usually just a symptom of a
crappy overall diet – too many processed foods, sugar, dairy, meat – and not
enough vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains and nuts/seeds (potassium from
plant foods helps to balance the effects of sodium and keep blood pressure in
check).
teaspoon of salt each day for normal functioning. If you are really fit and
lean, you can get by with about 1 teaspoon of daily added salt.
Cutting salt too much when you don’t need to isn’t a good idea. If you
exercise and sweat a lot, you need more. And folks getting restrictive with salt
intake are at risk for iodine deficiency. For more on sodium, see All About
Sodium.
Many folks get hyper-focused on salt when it comes to blood pressure. But we
all respond to it differently. A high salt intake is usually just a symptom of a
crappy overall diet – too many processed foods, sugar, dairy, meat – and not
enough vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains and nuts/seeds (potassium from
plant foods helps to balance the effects of sodium and keep blood pressure in
check).
Yoga, meditation and stress
If you’re always stressed, your blood pressure is probably elevated.
Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can immediately lower blood pressure by
several points. But it’s not enough to be stressed out all week and hit a Sunday
yoga class. You need to relax more overall. Five minutes of deep breathing can
only do so much when the other 10,075 minutes in your week are hectic.
So make it a priority to chill out. Pet a dog, see a therapist, take a nature
walk, meditate, listen to music, do yoga, see a comedian, or anything else that
helps you get mellow. Your health may depend on it.
Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can immediately lower blood pressure by
several points. But it’s not enough to be stressed out all week and hit a Sunday
yoga class. You need to relax more overall. Five minutes of deep breathing can
only do so much when the other 10,075 minutes in your week are hectic.
So make it a priority to chill out. Pet a dog, see a therapist, take a nature
walk, meditate, listen to music, do yoga, see a comedian, or anything else that
helps you get mellow. Your health may depend on it.
Summary and recommendations
Blood pressure can almost always be controlled with lifestyle
changes. Just remember, small changes = small results. Big changes = big
results.
changes. Just remember, small changes = small results. Big changes = big
results.
- Stay lean. If you look fat, you are fat.
- Get 5 hours/week of exercise. At least some of it should be vigorous.
- Move around during the day. Use your body to get places.
- If you drink alcohol, keep it around one drink per day. Wine is best, and
try to consume it with meals. - Don’t smoke.
- When you sit down to eat, make sure that most of your plate/bowl is filled
with vegetables, fruits, beans/peas, intact whole grains, and nuts/seeds.
Including small amounts of lower fat dairy and dark chocolate each day might
help. - If you regularly eat added sugars and salt, your diet probably sucks. Cut
them where you can and replace with veggies or fruits. - Consume oily fish and other marine life. Mix in some flax seeds, hemp seeds,
chia seeds or walnuts to get your dietary omega-3’s. - If you are vitamin D deficient, use a supplement. Get outside in the sun.
- Bust stress. Do yoga, breathe deeply, connect with loved ones, laugh.
Extra credit
Lots of caffeine can bump up blood pressure. Though tea and coffee have mixed
results on blood pressure (probably due to genetic differences in caffeine
metabolism), you don’t need to chug them anyway.
Different types of religious fasts seem to have variable effects on blood
pressure. No style of fasting appears to have a clear benefit.
Binge drinking increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about
5 mm Hg during the time of intoxication.
Systolic blood pressure readings in excess of 300 mm Hg have been recorded
during the leg press. In the 1-3 hours after exercise, systolic blood pressure
tends to decrease by 10-20 mm Hg. This can last up to 9 hours. So if you’ve ever
stood up too fast after a set of heavy squats or while cooling down from a
workout and felt dizzy/saw floaters, then you’ve experienced this.
Early AM hours and cold weather can result in a higher blood pressure.
Certain medications can raise blood pressure – check with your doc.
The blood pressure levels of purely vegetarian Trappist monks were found to
be lower than those of Benedictine monks, who consume a Western diet.
Adding more meat to a plant-based diet increases blood pressure, possibly
from the “substitution effect” (swapping out blood pressure lowering plant
foods).
results on blood pressure (probably due to genetic differences in caffeine
metabolism), you don’t need to chug them anyway.
Different types of religious fasts seem to have variable effects on blood
pressure. No style of fasting appears to have a clear benefit.
Binge drinking increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about
5 mm Hg during the time of intoxication.
Systolic blood pressure readings in excess of 300 mm Hg have been recorded
during the leg press. In the 1-3 hours after exercise, systolic blood pressure
tends to decrease by 10-20 mm Hg. This can last up to 9 hours. So if you’ve ever
stood up too fast after a set of heavy squats or while cooling down from a
workout and felt dizzy/saw floaters, then you’ve experienced this.
Early AM hours and cold weather can result in a higher blood pressure.
Certain medications can raise blood pressure – check with your doc.
The blood pressure levels of purely vegetarian Trappist monks were found to
be lower than those of Benedictine monks, who consume a Western diet.
Adding more meat to a plant-based diet increases blood pressure, possibly
from the “substitution effect” (swapping out blood pressure lowering plant
foods).
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The Core Matrix 