Running head: HYPERTENSION

Hypertension [Full Name] [Institutional Affiliation]

HYPERTENSION Hypertension Hypertension is a chronic condition which is characterized by high arterial blood pressure. This pathology causes a strain on the heart as systolic pressure is elevated in order

to pump blood through the arteries. Hypertension rarely presents any symptoms which is why its diagnosis is primarily dependent on regular blood pressure checkups. Arterial pressure is monitored using a sphygmomanometer. Hypertension management involves certain lifestyle changes, for example, exercise, nutrition, and dieting. The nutrition of an individual suffering from hypertension can help improve his/her condition. Studies have proven that nutrition can influence hypertension in an individual through certain processes. These include, direct influence of nutrients on blood pressure, high calorie intake results in weight gain and low calorie intake can result in weight loss. These are all factors that induce the disease. Different nutrients may act on different mechanisms of the body. Vitamins, particularly vitamin E, B6 and C have been known to lower arterial blood pressure of an individual. As studies have shown, hypertension is caused by certain lifestyles and aging, which in turn result in a complex relationship between certain genes and the environment. This process can lead to high levels of tissue aldehydes, which are one of the major causes of hypertension. Vitamins B6, C and E elevate cysteine and glutathione levels, which enhances carbohydrate metabolism. This in turn lowers hypertension as biochemical changes are normalized. Potassium is also influential in the treatment of hypertension. This mechanism involves the filtration process of the kidney, which the body utilizes to control the amount of bodily fluids. Water is absorbed from the blood stream in a process monitored by the Na/K balance. Salt has negative effects when in excess, which include the disruption of the ion balance (Na/K) in the body (Adrogue et al., 2007). This in turn inhibits the kidneys from

HYPERTENSION

absorbing water from the bloodstream which in turn increases arterial blood pressure. Sodium can be reduced by limiting amount of table salt used. 300mg of sodium is the benchmark per meal. The Na/K balance can be restored by consumption of fruits and vegetables, which elevate the potassium levels in the cells and allow fluid absorption from the blood. Consuming foods with low calcium content may also increase an individuals risk of hypertension (Parrott-Garcia, 2009). When studies were carried out to establish the connection between arterial blood pressure and dietary calcium in communities with hypertension, results proved that there is a connection between metabolism of calcium, and an individuals sensitivity to salt. This in turn provided insight on anti hypertension mechanisms that occur in certain people. Though hypertension is associated with many organs and their mechanisms, it is directly linked to peripheral vascular resistance. Calcium is one of the key regulators in smooth muscle constriction; hence, lack of it could result in vasoconstriction disorders and hypertension. Consuming a diet with sufficient calcium could aid in maintaining the normal vasoconstriction in the body. Foods which contain an adequate amount of calcium include, include dairy products, beans and oranges. Fats have been known to cause hyperlipidemia and hypertension which both result in cardiac disorders. Studies have also been carried out to investigate the relationship between dairy products and hypertension. The results proved that consumption of low dairy products may result to hypertension; however, this process is through long period of time. Recently, numerous studies have been carried out to determine non pharmaceutical methods to prevent hypertension. These methods include, weight loss, low salt consumption, increased potassium consumption and reduction in alcohol intake. When indulging in nutritional methods to reduce hypertension, certain precautions have to be undertaken as different races respond differently to dietary changes (Mellen et al., 2008). For example,

HYPERTENSION African Americans respond more effectively to low levels of salt intake and higher level of potassium consumption.

Weight loss can be a major factor in reducing chances of hypertension as clinical trials have shown a direct link between high arterial blood pressure and weight. Weight loss can be achieved by an individual reducing the amount of calories he/she consumes daily, or by engaging in physical training. Individuals with a body mass index less than twenty five kilograms per meters squared have been found to be at less risk of hypertension. Vegetarians generally have a lower blood pressure than non vegetarians. In addition, their blood pressures rarely rise with age. They consume foods such as Kempner rice fruit, which help elevate potassium levels, hence reducing arterial blood pressure. They also consume a large amount of calcium which is present in dairy products, peas, and cereal grains. Their diets also contain a large amount of magnesium, which is influential in smooth cardiovascular muscle contraction. Alcoholism has also been discovered to increase blood pressure(Mathews, 2008). Alcohol contains empty calories which result in weight gain. As mentioned above, weight gain is a risk factor in hypertension (Sheps, n.d). Coffee also causes an increase in blood pressure as it contains caffeine, which inhibits hormones for arterial dilation. Foods which can be advised for hypertension management include grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, fats and oils.

HYPERTENSION References

1. Parrott-Garcia, M. and McCarron, D. A. (2009), Calcium and Hypertension. Nutrition Reviews, 42: 205213. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1984.tb02328.x 2. Mellen PB, Gao SK, Vitolins MZ, Goff DC Jr. (2008) Deteriorating dietary habits among adults with hypertension: DASH dietary accordance, NHANES 1988-1994 and 1999-2004. Arch Intern Med 2008;168:308-314 3. Adrogue HJ, Madias NE. Sodium and potassium in the pathogenesis of hypertension. N Engl J Med 2007;356:1966-1978 4. Sheps, SG, (n.d) How does caffeine affect blood pressure? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00792 5. Mathews, J. D. (2008), ALCOHOL AND HYPERTENSION. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine, 9: 124128. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1979.tb04314.x