High blood pressure: Doctor explains benefits of hibiscus tea
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High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and many people who have high blood pressure do not know it, according to the NHS. As many as five million adults in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure, so will not know that they are at risk, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Blood pressure is defined as the force put on your blood vessels and organs as blood is pumped around your body by your heart.
Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers. The systolic pressure, higher number, is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.
The diastolic pressure, lower number, is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.
The NHS says: “Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
“Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high.”
If you are over the age of 40, the health body says you should be getting it checked every five years.
Healthline says one of prune juice’s lesser-known health benefits is that it also lowers blood pressure.
It notes: “This effect was reported in a 2010 study. Researchers compared three groups: one group ate three prunes per day, a second group ate six prunes per day, and a third group didn’t eat any prunes.”
Healthline says: “The researchers reported a significant reduction in blood pressure among people who ate a single dose of three prunes per day.
“People who ate six prunes per day experienced an additional reduction in systolic blood pressure.
“Moreover, both three- and six-prune doses were found to also lower LDL cholesterol.”
It says that in order to take advantage of these effects, “drink a glass of 100-percent prune juice or make your own by blending soaked prunes”.
Moreover, cutting down on certain foods is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure.
The NHS says: “A diet high in salt (or sodium) can cause raised blood pressure, which can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
“Some foods are almost always high in salt because of the way they are made.”
Blood Pressure UK explains: “Salt makes your body hold onto water. If you eat too much, the extra water in your blood means there is extra pressure on your blood vessel walls, raising your blood pressure.”
It says that as well as reducing the amount of salt you eat and having a generally healthy diet, you should cut back on alcohol, lose weight if you’re overweight, cut down on caffeine, and if you are a smoker you should stop smoking.
The British Heart Foundation states many people with high blood pressure feel fine, “so it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly”.
The charity says physical activity can help reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
The NHS says: “Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure over time.”
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