Guava Fruit Benefits: Guava contains properties beneficial for your overall health in several ways. This winter, enjoy this fruit and enjoy the many benefits. Read here to know some of these.

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Guava is loaded with vitamin C which can help boost immunity
2. Eating guava can help you lose weight as it is loaded with fibre
3. Guava leaves are also loaded with several medicinal properties

Winter season is almost here. With the temperature falling, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. Eating healthy according to the season can help you stay fit. Every season offers different fruits and vegetables. Eating seasonal fruits can offer your essential nutrients and help you stay fit. Guava is one of the fruits that are commonly available during the winter season. This fruit is loaded with several health benefits. Guava is also beneficial in several chronic health conditions. Not just the fruit, guava leaves are also loaded with certain health benefits. Here are some reasons why you should not miss the goodness of guava this winter season.

Guava health benefits you need to know

Both guava and guava leaves can help you manage blood sugar levels. According to studies, guava leaves can help reduce blood sugar levels. This fruit is loaded with fibre which helps in diabetes management. If you are a diabetic, you can consult your doctor to understand how much guava is safe to consume.

2. May lower blood pressure

High blood pressure can put you at a higher risk of heart disease. The presence of potassium and fibre in guava reduces blood pressure numbers. Choose a healthy diet and lifestyle to maintain healthy blood pressure numbers.

Also read: What Happens To Your Blood Pressure During Sleep? Expert Explains The Reasons Behind Fluctuations

3. Aids in weight loss and digestion

Guavas are loaded with fibre. High fibre content promotes digestion and bowel movements. It can help reduce constipation. Foods high in fibre keep you full for longer and make you consume fewer calories contributing to weight loss.

4. Boosts immunity

Vitamin C plays a significant role in boosting immunity. Guava contains a good amount of vitamin C which ensures healthy functioning of the immune system. This winter you can control the risk of various ailments with this wonder fruit.

Also read: Guava Health Benefits: Here’s Why Health Experts Are Talking About Vitamin C-Rich Amrud

5. Beneficial for skin

Guava contains antioxidants that can protect your skin against ageing. Vitamin C also plays a role in maintaining and boosting overall skin health.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Treatment guidelines for hypertension in pregnancy suggest that more women should be on medication to control their blood pressure. However, new research led by the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS) suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to women’s treatment decisions during pregnancy.

The findings, published recently in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, are important for health-care providers to help women better understand the risks and benefits of hypertension treatment during pregnancy, and to better determine how their patients’ values align with those treatments.

“Pregnancy is a unique period in a woman’s life,” says Rebecca Metcalfe, the study’s lead author and a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC. “Decisions are being made for two people at once and, historically, the emphasis has often not been on what the woman wants.”

“But we know that treatment adherence and effectiveness is improved when treatments align with patients’ values,” Metcalfe says. “Our results show that there are diverse preferences and values among patients, and different levels of need when it comes to shared decision making.”

Hypertension and related disorders during pregnancy are the leading cause of pregnancy-related health complications worldwide. In Canada, one in 10 women may have high blood pressure during pregnancy.

While women in Canada are fortunate to have relatively good access to health care so we are able to avoid most infant and maternal deaths due to hypertension, Metcalfe says these unfortunate events do still happen here, even with proper management of blood pressure.

Results of the Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study (CHIPS) trial convinced many health care providers to promote “tight” control of blood pressure for mothers compared to less-tight control. Tight control meant that treatments are aimed to get diastolic blood pressure down to 85 mmHg, whereas less-tight control is aimed for 100 mmHg. The recommendation for tight control was added to the Hypertension Canada clinical guidelines in 2018.

However, the margin of benefit between tight and less-tight control in the CHIPS trial was small. Tight control also tends to require more medication, which women often feel nervous about taking. This means it’s important to consider patient preferences and values in this treatment decision.

To better understand patient priorities and preferences, Metcalfe interviewed pregnant women to understand what characteristics of a treatment they considered to be most important. For example, participants identified that the three per cent increase in risk of early delivery with less-tight control seen in the trial was very important to them, even though this finding was not considered statistically significant.

Based on those interactions, the research team developed a survey to determine women’s preferences for blood pressure control, their priorities in choosing a treatment, and how they factored risk of adverse outcomes into their decision-making. The survey was administered online to 183 women across Canada.

Survey results showed that half of the women preferred tight control and half preferred less tight. The characteristics associated with preferring tight control were Caucasian ethnicity, a university education, and a higher score for knowledge about hypertension and pregnancy.

These characteristics, explains Metcalfe, are also factors that predict better experiences with the health care system meaning that these women may be more inclined to accept treatment compared to women who have not had positive experiences.

Unexpectedly, respondents with a current or past experience of hypertension in pregnancy had a significantly lower knowledge score than those without experience.

“This result shows that we can’t expect women to have all the information they need just because they’ve been through this experience before,” says Metcalfe.

The research team also observed three distinct groups of people; the majority participants gave equal priority to all aspects of a treatment, while 25 per cent prioritized avoiding the risk of an early delivery and 15 per cent prioritized avoiding medications during pregnancy. Half of the women in the study wanted to make the final decision about treatment on their own, after talking to their doctor.

Since very few randomized controlled trials have been done for treatments in pregnancy and, historically, some dangerous treatments have been approved without proper evidence, like thalidomide, having a group of women who aim to avoid all medications during pregnancy is not surprising, says Metcalfe

The team is now working on a decision aid to help women better understand the risks and benefits of treatment and how their values align with those treatments.

“This next step is about supporting women in their discussions with their doctor so they can spend the time discussing what matters to them and ultimately choose and receive a treatment that aligns with their values,” says Metcalfe.

The study was co-authored by CHÉOS scientists Drs. Nick Bansback, Mark Harrison and Joel Singer, as well as Dr. Laura Magee, who is also the principal investigator of the CHIPS trial. Metcalfe is supervised by Dr. Nick Bansback.

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New Delhi, May 7 (IANSlife) We all know diet, age and genetic history are common risk factors for high blood pressure.

Dr Praveen Gupta, Director, Neurology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute focuses on some uncommon reasons for high BP.

Sleep apnea:

As we age some of gather lot of weight around our bellies. Some this heavy weight around the neck collapses the airways and obstructs the breathing. This causes the patient to awaken frequently due to apnea altering the neurotransmitter balance increasing sympathomimetic transmitters and raising the blood pressure. Sleeping with a CPAP machine after an overnight sleep study will treat the obstructive sleep apnea and help normalize blood pressure. A simple way is undertaking weight loss and decrease the body fat partially relieving the elevated blood pressure.

Analgesic

The common non-steroidal analgesics like ibuprofen and dispirin can also raise blood pressure and cause swelling in the body. these drugs later the transmitter balance in the kidney tubules to raise the BP. Contrary to the common belief even newer COX 2 inhibitors like etoricoxib can raise blood pressure. So if u find taking a drug leads to elevated BP it is best to avoid it.

Pain

It can activate the sympathetic stress system of the body raising the blood pressure. so a lot of people with migraine who go to emergency rooms with severe headache are found tone hypertensive. However, for most people blood pressure returns to normal after treating pain. So do not consider yourself if you bp is only elevated during pain.

Going to doctors Office

A visit to doctors office is marked by uncertainty and anxiety for a lot of people. these can cause significant catecholamine and augment blood pressure. A lot of people have very high BP in doctor”s office with normal readings at home typically called white coat hypertension.

Herbal supplements

The herbal supplements are considering to be safe. However drugs like gingko biloba , guar, st. johns wart can interfere with blood pressure mechanisms and raise BP. they can also interfere with action of other drugs

Caffeine

Excessive coffee or other stimulant beverages increase catecholamine levels thus causing increased blood pressure and heart rate. It is important to note an accessional cup of coffee is safe and more than 3 coffees a day may be detrimental.

Other medication

Simple decongestant medicines like pseoephederine and nasal decongestants can cause vast spam causing high blood pressure. Also anti-depressants like venlafaxine and duloxetine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can also cause raise blood pressure.

Sugar

A high sugar intake also causes increase in the body metabolism causing increase in blood pressure . Even a high sugar diet for two weeks may raise the blood pressure significantly.

It is important to know these causes, though lesser known and to be aware about them in order to avoid inadvertent rise in blood pressure.

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Every time you go to the doctor, one of the first things a nurse will do is take your blood pressure. Do you know what blood pressure is or why those numbers are important?

Your blood pressure is the strength of blood being pushed through your blood vessels. Your heart is constantly pumping blood throughout your body as it beats, delivering oxygen and energy. As the blood is moving, it is pushing against your blood vessels. When your blood pressure is too high it is putting extra strain on your arteries and heart. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Ideally your numbers should be 120/80. So, what does this fraction mean? The top number is called the Systolic pressure, referring to the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart. The bottom number is the Diastolic pressure, referring to the blood pressure when your heart is between beats.

There are many factors that control your blood pressure, including genetics, but if you have been told by your health care provider that your blood pressure is elevated due to your lifestyle, you can take action to make positive changes. You can start with these steps to lower your blood pressure:

• Manage your weight

If you are overweight, you are putting added strain on your heart. Losing weight, even a small amount can help lower your blood pressure.

• Get moving

Exercising regularly can help lower your blood pressure and help you feel better! Try doing something that you enjoy: walking, running, riding a bike, swimming, even dancing. Strength training also helps, and may be incorporated into your cardiovascular routine. Ideally, you should be exercising 30 minutes per day, just about every day of the week.

• Eat healthy

Look at your diet. Incorporate whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Try skinless chicken, fish, nuts or legumes for protein. Avoid saturated fats, sodium, and processed foods. Read labels on everything you purchase to look for those added salts.

• Limit alcohol

Having a drink in moderation may be okay, but beyond one drink daily, alcohol can raise your blood pressure.

• Give up smoking

By stopping smoking, your blood pressure can return to normal. You will also reduce the risk of heart disease and have better overall health.

• Reduce caffeine

Cut back on the number of cups of coffee (or tea) you are drinking each day. And, by all means, make sure you aren’t getting your caffeine from sugary sodas.

• Lower stress

Constant stress is not good for your blood pressure. Review your daily life and recognize what may be causing your stress. Then, find ways to make changes in your life to avoid that stress.

• Long-term care

Monitor your blood pressure to see how your lifestyle changes are working. You may purchase a blood pressure cuff for use at home to get a more accurate reading of your blood pressure on a regular basis. You should visit your health clinic regularly, especially if high blood pressure runs in your family.

Family HealthCare can help you manage your blood pressure. Whether you attend one of our blood pressure checks out in the community, or you would like to have your blood pressure checked in our clinic, or you are interested in setting up a plan on lowering or maintaining your blood pressure, call us to schedule an appointment at 918-336-4822. Family HealthCare Clinic is located at 1820 W. Hensley Blvd.

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DENVER (KDVR) — February is American Heart Month, which is a good reminder to get your blood pressure checked—even if you feel healthy.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of adults the U.S. have high blood pressure—which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

The YMCA if offering a blood pressure self-monitoring program across metro Denver, telling Fox31 diet and exercise are only part of a heart healthy lifestyle.

That’s something 77-year-old Don Nimtz discovered last year.

He has a steady gym routine at the YMCA, in Arvada.

“In the winter, I’m here 4 or 5 times a week,” he told Fox31, shortly before starting his workout.

Which is why a high blood pressure reading, that he got at the YMCA in Arvada, caught him off guard.

“I think it was in the 170 range,” he recalled. “I feel like my diet is pretty good and I regularly exercise, so it was a big surprise to me.”

This is one of several YMCA locations in metro Denver that offers the testing on site, as part of their blood pressure self-monitoring program.

“High blood pressure doesn’t usually come with symptoms. It’s usually silent,” said Libertad Mendivil, Community Health Recruiter for YMCA of Metro Denver.

“So you wouldn’t know if you had high blood pressure unless you took your blood pressure consistently,” she added.

The program pairs people, like Nimtz, with what’s called a healthy heart ambassador—which essentially is an accountability coach for your heart.

“The main focus is to make sure they’re taking their blood pressure at home at least twice a month, and coming in to check with a healthy heart ambassador at the Y at least twice a month with consultation and help them with their goals,” said Mendivil.

“The more they check it at home and the more they have that support from the healthy heart ambassador, then they are more conscious of the numbers changing,” she added.

The YMCA also offers a nutrition education seminar, focusing on healthy eating habits and lower sodium intake.

Nimtz says it was stress that caused a spike in his blood pressure, which, has since stabilized.

“I went through their whole program. Naturally, I went to see my doctor. I’m on some meds now and I believe it’s under control,” he told Fox31.

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Foods for low blood pressure: There can be several possible reasons behind low blood pressure. You can fight low blood pressure with some dietary changes. Here are some foods you can add to your diet.

Hypertension is a common health issue. Similarly, many experience hypotension. It is a condition in which blood pressure numbers are lower than normal. Low blood pressure can show some symptoms like blurry vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting, trouble concentration, weakness or light-headedness. There can be a variety of reasons behind low blood pressure like anemia, dehydration, consumption of fewer calories, low blood sugar levels, certain medications, stress and any more. Just like high blood pressure, you can fight hypotension with simple modifications in diet and lifestyle. Here are some foods you can add to your diet to fight low blood pressure.

Foods to fight low blood pressure naturally

1. More fluids

Staying hydrated can help you control your blood pressure. Dehydration can decrease blood volume and result in a drop in blood pressure. You should drink plenty of water throughout the day with other drinks including coconut water, juices and many more.

2. Salt

Salty food can raise blood pressure. People suffering from hypertension are advised to reduce salt intake. Those with low blood pressure can add more salt to raise their blood pressure numbers. You can try olives, cottage cheese or canned goods which have high salt content.

3. Foods high in vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia which is one of the most common causes of low blood pressure. Adding more vitamin B 12 can help you fight several health issues as well as low blood pressure.

4. Caffeine

Caffeine consumption can give you instant relief from low blood pressure. You can prepare a cup of coffee to raise your blood pressure numbers. But too much caffeine can be harmful for you. Avoid too much consumption of caffeine.

5. Eat small meals frequently

Consumption of very few calories can also result in low blood pressure. Large meals are harder to digest and can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure. You should choose small healthy meals which can also help you fight weight gain.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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If you have high blood pressure or are at risk of developing it, lifestyle changes can help keep your numbers under control. If a trial of making lifestyle changes is not enough to control your blood pressure, you will likely receive a prescription for one or more of the medications in addition to maintaining your lifestyle measures. There are several classes of blood pressure medications that lower blood pressure in a different way. The blood pressure lowering effect may vary among individuals depending on age, sex, race, how high the blood pressure is and other health conditions.A two-drug combination generally is more effective than is a single drug to get your blood pressure under control. Sometimes a third medication, or more, is needed to achieve your blood pressure goal. A healthcare provider may try several medications or doses before finding what works best for you. Also, it’s important to discuss all of the drugs you take with your doctor, and understand their desired effects and possible side effects. Also, never stop taking a medication and never change your dose or frequency without first consulting your doctor.

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 I’ve taken blood pressure medicines every morning for many years, and they keep my pressure under control. Recently, my doctor recommended taking them at bedtime, instead. Does that make sense?

A. It actually does make sense — based on recent research. For many years, there have been at least three theoretical reasons for taking blood pressure medicines before bedtime. First, a body system that strongly affects blood pressure, called the renin-angiotensin system, has its peak activity during sleep. Second, circadian rhythms cause differences in the body chemistry at night compared with daytime. Third, most heart attacks occur in the morning, before medicines taken in the morning have a chance to “kick in.”

Several past studies suggested that blood pressure pills might be more potent when taken at night, but the studies were small and therefore unconvincing; most doctors still recommended that blood pressure pills be taken in the morning.

To try to settle the question, a Spanish medical research team conducted a study of over 19,000 people with hypertension (high blood pressure). The people in the study were told, at random, to take their blood pressure pills either at bedtime or in the morning. Because the bedtime-dose group and the morning-dose group were chosen at random, they were very similar in many important respects: age, gender, body weight, blood pressure level, blood cholesterol level, and the presence of other serious illnesses besides hypertension. That’s important, because in a study like this you want the two groups to be very similar except for the one thing you are testing: in this case, the time of day that the pills are taken.

The study, published online Oct. 22, 2019, by the European Heart Journal, followed people for an average of 6.3 years. Indeed, blood pressure was lower in the bedtime-dose group. More important, so was the risk of several serious consequences that result from poorly controlled blood pressure: heart attack, stroke, surgery or stents to open blocked arteries in the heart, or death from heart disease or stroke. And the risk of these diseases was not just a little lower; the bedtime-dose group had about half the rate of these serious consequences. In addition, the ones who took the medicines at bedtime seemed to have no adverse effects from taking the pills at night. For example, they didn’t have a higher rate of getting dizzy and falling when getting up at night to go to the bathroom.

This one study, even though it is very large, may not be enough to change practice. But the huge reduction in the rate of serious illness has convinced me: my doctor and I agreed I should start taking my blood pressure medicines at bedtime.

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Debbie Malewicki has never been shy about advocating for her own health.

So when the 48-year-old Monroe resident was told that her blood pressure was high enough that she needed to go on medication — after years of having blood pressure that was on “the low end of normal” — she spoke up. Malewicki was already being treated for adult onset asthma, and was still taking some medication for breast cancer.

Malewicki doesn’t know for sure why there was such a wide variance in her blood pressure readings, although she attributes it at least partly to the fact that her office had been using an automated blood pressure machine, instead of taking it “the old-fashioned way” with a manual blood pressure cuff.

However, she’s not the only one who has faced widely different pressure readings on different visits. Doctors said getting an incorrect high blood pressure reading is fairly common, and is often caused by missteps the average patient might not even notice.

For instance, talking to a patient while taking blood pressure, taking blood pressure through clothing and having a patient sit on an exam table with their feet dangling can all lead to artificially high blood pressure readings.

“I’ve had a patient walk down the hallway, climb onto the table and immediately have their blood pressure taken,” said Dr. Craig Serin, senior medical director of Western Connecticut Medical Group, and is based in Wilton. “Then I’ve come in 10 to 15 minutes, after I’ve had them sit with their feet on the floor for a while, and taken it again, and seen the blood pressure go down 30 to 40 points.”

In some cases, a mistake can theoretically lead to a patient being unnecessarily put on blood pressure medication, said Dr. Jeffrey Berman, chairman of cardiology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport.

“That’s a problem,” he said. “If you overtreat blood pressure, you can have blood pressure that’s too low.”

That can lead to dizziness, falls and injuries, Berman said.

“You want to make sure you’re treating the right people,” he said.

‘An extremely important issue’

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, which carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body.

Health professionals typically use a cuff on the arm to measure blood pressure. The cuff has a gauge attached to it that measures the pressure in the blood vessels with a unit of measurement called “millimeters of mercury.”

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers — systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure measures pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

For example, someone with a systolic blood pressure of 120 and a diastolic blood pressure of 80, would be said to have an overall blood pressure of 120 over 80.

Though the standard of what is considered “high blood pressure” has fluctuated over the years, guidelines released in 2017 state that a consistent reading of 130 over 80 or higher is considered high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 108 million adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, or are taking medication for hypertension. In 2017, nearly half a million deaths in the United States included hypertension as a primary or contributing cause, the CDC states.

Given how pervasive and dangerous high blood pressure can be, it’s crucial to properly identify and treat those who have it, said Dr. Carl Orringer, a professor of medicine in the cardiovascular division of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

During a recent talk at the university, Orringer said high blood pressure is “an extremely important issue.” That’s why it’s important that health care professionals take blood pressure properly.

“It makes a huge difference in terms of treating patients,” Orringer said.

Small mistakes, big differences

Orringer provided a list of some of the errors made during doctors’ office blood pressure readings, and the difference they can make in a patient’s results. For instance, he said, talking to a patient while taking blood pressure can elevate a reading by as much as 10 millimeters of mercury.

Some errors can result in a fairly significant difference in a blood pressure reading. Putting the blood pressure cuff on a patient over their clothes — as opposed to a bare arm — can raise the reading by anywhere from 5 to 50 millimeters of mercury, he said.

“Now we’re talking about blood pressure medicines and treatments and having to come back to your doctor’s office and checking your blood — and all of this might have been due to the fact that your blood pressure wasn’t properly measured,” Orringer said.

Locally, doctors said they’re aware of protocol errors, and are doing their best to educate health providers about how they can avoid mistakes. Serin said staff in his practice are being trained on the proper procedures for taking blood pressure.

Serin and Orringer both said the time constraints faced by doctors could also be a contributing factor to blood pressure error.

One of the guidelines for taking blood pressure is to allow patients to sit quietly in a chair with their feet on their floor for at least five minutes before the reading is taken.

There is so much time pressure for practitioners to see their patients in a defined period of time,” Orringer said. “If you think of five minutes out of a 15- or-20 minute visit, it’s tough (to do) but it can be done if you’re committed to doing it.”

Meanwhile, Malewicki said she generally thinks her health care providers use best practices when taking her blood pressure, allowing her to sit before taking a reading, and not speaking while the reading was being taken. But she said they might have committed at least one blood pressure no-no.

“There wasn’t always an effort to make sure my feet were on the floor,” Malewicki said. “A lot of the time, they dangled.”

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Drug firms Unichem Pharmaceuticals and Macleods Pharma are recalling various lots of tablets used for treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes from the US market, according to a latest enforcement report of the American health regulator.

Unichem Pharmaceuticals USA Inc is recalling 1.91 crore units of Clonidine Hydrochloride tablets used for treating high blood pressure from the US market, the report said. he company is recalling units of Clonidine Hydrochloride tablets, USP 0.1 mg manufactured by Unichem Laboratories Ltd at Goa facility, it added.

The reason for the voluntary ongoing nationwide is “failed impurities/degredation specifications. This recall is initiated as a precautionary measure due to potential migration of Benzophenone at very low level into product from container label, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) said.

On the other hand, Macleods Pharma USA Inc is recalling 4,694 bottles of Pioglitazone and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes from the US market. The company is recalling Pioglitazone and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets USP 15 mg/500 mg, manufactured by Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd at its baddi facility in Himachal Pradesh, the report said.

The reason for the voluntary nationwide ongoing recall is on account of it being “subpotent drug: out of specification assay result, below specification, for two lots of Pioglitazone And Metformin Hydrochloride tablets,” the USFDA said.

Both the recalls by the companies are class III recalls, it added. As per the USFDA, a class III recall is initiated in a “situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

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We all know that less is more when it comes to salt, but who has the time to check the sodium in every food item they buy?

A smartphone app called SaltSwitch, being trialled at the University of Auckland, does just that: scan a barcode and it will guide you to healthier, low-salt alternatives. The researchers hope to show that the app, combined with a low sodium, high potassium salt, will lower blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure – a pressing need in a country where one in five adults has high blood pressure, which leads to heart disease. The burden is also unequal: Māori are 30 percent more likely than non-Māori to have heart high blood pressure.

Heart Awareness Month is a good time to reflect on our salt-heavy ways: New Zealand adults on average consume about 40 percent more salt than the less-than-one teaspoon a day recommended by the World Health Organization.

“It’s the sodium in salt that raises blood pressure, so by reducing sodium intake we can reduce the risk of heart disease,” says Dr Helen Eyles, a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Health Innovation, based at the University, and lead investigator on the SALTS study.

“These days, we hear a lot about the need to cut back on the sugar we eat, but salt is very important too.”

There is good evidence that mobile apps can help people make positive changes to their diets, and results from a small pilot study testing the SaltSwitch app with people with heart disease were promising.

Now, the app is being trialled in the Salt Alternatives Study (SALTS), run by a team from the University’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. Researchers are seeking adults with high blood pressure who own a smart phone and live in the Auckland region.

Dr Eyles: “So far, people seem really excited to be involved in a study where they might be able to lower their blood pressure through dietary changes. Regardless of whether you’re on blood pressure pills or not, you can join the study. If you are already on medication, reducing salt can lower your blood pressure further.”

Each participant will be randomly allocated (like a coin toss) to receive either the SaltSwitch app along with the low sodium, high potassium salt, or general information about heart-healthy eating. All participants get a WiFi or SIM-enabled blood pressure monitor to provide home-based measures, and if they complete will be able to keep the monitor at the end of the study.

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Dementia researchers have looked into a variety of possible causes for the disease, from genetics to traumatic brain injuries. But one group, led by genetic epidemiologist Dr. Shaoyong Su, is looking into a surprising research area: high blood pressure in childhood.

Prior research has established high cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as obesity and aging, as risk factors for developing dementia. But Su and his colleagues at the Georgia Prevention Institute at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University decided to focus on whether higher or rapidly increasing blood pressure during childhood can cause vascular damage, leading to restricted blood flow and even brain cell death.

“Dementia is not a normal part of aging, and once it begins you can’t reverse it,” Su said in a news release. “It typically surfaces at about age 65 or older, but we think the problem really starts much earlier.”

The Link Between Dementia and High Blood Pressure

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 50 million people worldwide are affected by dementia, and around 10 million new cases arise each year. The increase of risk factors for dementia, particularly in children, makes the need for early diagnosis and risk screening crucial, says Su.

To fill this need, Su and fellow researchers Dr. Catherine Davis, a clinical health psychologist at the Georgia Prevention Institute, and Dr. Nathan Yanasak, a magnetic resonance imaging scientist in the MCG Department of Radiology and Imaging, are conducting a study on lifetime data from 600 people. The study sample represents a roughly equal number of men and women of various races who were entering midlife and on whom the researchers had childhood data.

The participants were at an average of 40 years old at the time of the study. The researchers collected data on them over the course of 23 years, including ambulatory blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and other measures of chronic stress and lifestyle. Reflecting the general population, about one third of the study group now have high blood pressure.

Su and his team are conducting brain imaging to examine other relevant risk factors, like cerebral blood flow and cognitive testing. A few of their subjects have shown symptoms of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis—an arterial disease characterized by fatty deposits forming on arterial walls—and Su hopes to answer whether these factors are associated with unhealthy structural and functional changes in the brain.

“First we have to know exactly what is happening,” Yanasak explained in the news release. “Once we know what is happening, we can start searching for solutions.”

“We will be able to look at associations between their cardiovascular measures over time and the current status of their cognitive ability, their cerebral blood flow and brain structure,” Davis added.

Some of their research has already shown that an elevated blood pressure—whether from childhood trauma, obesity or lifestyle factors like diet and inactivity—can affect blood flow and alter some of the delicate architecture of the brain.

According to Su, it’s not instantaneous damage, but rather progressive problems that are the real danger. Other studies have already shown a connection between hypertension in middle age (or even as early as your 30s) and cognitive decline in old age.

The researchers are using a variety of tests to get their results, including arterial spin labeling and diffusion tensor imaging. Arterial spin labeling, which is regularly used to rapidly assess brain blood flow in stroke patients, measures the amount of blood flowing in the brains of study participants. By manipulating the magnetic properties of blood, the scanner enables the measures of blood flow through minuscule capillaries feeding brain tissue.

Diffusion tensor imaging, comparatively, allows a glimpse at the brain’s nerve fibers, or axons, which enable communication from neurons to muscle cells, organs, and other neurons. This advanced form of scanning uses the natural flow of water to examine the integrity of these neural fibers. According to Yanasak, subtle changes in this tissue, not normally detectable by a standard MRI, are an early warning sign that the vasculature of the brain is being impacted by high blood pressure.

As part of the study, participants are also questioned on lifestyle habits, such as physical activity levels and the use of alcohol and tobacco products. Su and his team are looking into whether unhealthy environmental factors correlate with high blood pressure and worsen any impact on the brain and cognition.

“We can see whether their lifestyle can influence or modify the relationship between blood pressure and brain cognitive function,” Su said.

Childhood Trauma, Blood Pressure and the Brain

According to Su, those who experienced multiple traumatic events in childhood, from emotional and sexual abuse to neglect, had higher blood pressures as young adults than their peers. The difference of 10 points in the systolic pressure—the top number denoting pressure while the heart is contracting—by early adulthood puts these young people at higher risk for hypertension and coronary artery disease by middle or old age.

The stress levels of participants are also being assessed through questions about stress in life, family or work problems, as well as socioeconomic status and adverse childhood events. According to Su, traumatic childhood experiences, like sexual assault or abandonment, can result in actual structural changes to a child’s developing brain and put them at increased risk for unhealthy habits like smoking and other substance abuse.

Hoping to expand their research, Su and his team also aim to investigate whether ethnicity and sex are factors in providing protection against or increasing the effects of unhealthy associations. Some associations, such as black men tending to have higher blood pressure earlier in life and a significantly higher nighttime blood pressure, have already been established by past research.

According to Su, it’s important to determine which factors present early in life can influence risk for developing dementia, and to determine from them the best strategies and times for preventative intervention.

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Today, with the lifestyle and the fast-paced life that we are leading, hypertension, which is also known as high blood pressure, has become a common problem. As per studies, every one in three adults suffers from hypertension. Hypertension, which was initially related to age, has now become common even in the younger generation! Lack of physical activity, stress and other factors cause hypertension, and the situation is increasing at an alarming rate. 

High blood pressure is known as a lifestyle disease which invites multiple other diseases in the long-run. With the hectic lifestyle that we live, it is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle. To keep this ailment at bay it’s essential to know what causes it.

Sedentary lifestyle:

One of the main reasons why people at work develop high blood pressure is the 9-5 desk job. Sitting at a stretch aids weight gain, which leads to high blood pressure. Just like any other muscle, our heart also needs working and pumping, so it’s advisable to get from your desk at intervals and take a walk for 15 minutes. Apart from this, try to add exercise to your daily routine, since this will help you in the long run in keeping your blood pressure in check.

Overconsumption of alcohol:

It’s okay to indulge in some drinks, but making it a habit and drinking regularly can lead to hypertension. Excess alcohol can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure. So, it’s better to drink in moderation and detox your body at least thrice a month. 

Eating too much salt:

Packed food items are high in sodium, and are harmful to the kidneys since they react to them by retaining water. It makes your body end up with too many fluids running through the bloodstream, which increases the blood pressure on your blood vessels. Avoid processed food items and say yes to fresh veggies and fruits. 

Stress:

Stress is something that all of us experience today. Be it stressing over exams or at the workplace, stress causes our adrenal glands to pump out blood pressure increasing hormones. The longer you are stressed, the more you put your heart at risk. To combat stress include meditation in your daily routine. And find something that makes you happy and calm.

Less consumption of veggies:

Consuming a lot of meat and depriving your body of veggies and fruits can make you prone to multiple health problems. It is so because then antioxidants from fruits and vegetables are essential for the functioning of the body. For better heart health, include fresh fruits and veggies to your diet.

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New York, January 26: Wide swings in blood pressure readings among young adults are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease by middle age, according to a new study.

The findings, published in the journal JAMA Cardiology, suggests that the current practice of averaging blood pressure readings to determine whether medications are necessary could be masking a potential early warning sign from the fluctuations themselves. Millennials Are at A High Risk of High Blood Pressure than Gen X: Here’s What Causes Hypertension in Young Generation.

“If a patient comes in with one reading in December and a significantly lower reading in January, the average might be within the range that would appear normal,” said study lead author Yuichiro Yano from Duke University in the US.

“But is that difference associated with health outcomes in later life?” Yano said. “That’s the question we sought to answer in this study, and it turns out the answer is yes.” Yano added.

The researchers arrived at their conclusion after analysing 30 years of data from a large, diverse cohort of young people enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study between March 1985 and June 1986.

Of the 3,394 people studied, about 46 per cent were African American and 56 per cent were women. The patients had regular blood pressure checks, with patterns evaluated across five visits, including at two, five, seven and 10 years. At the 10-year mark, the average age of the patients was about 35.

The main reading of concern to Yano’s research team was the systolic blood pressure level, the upper number in the equation that measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart pumps. A systolic blood pressure reading over 130 is considered hypertensive and has long been a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The researchers were able to identify which young people had variations in systolic blood pressure by the age of 35 and then track them over the next 20 years and see whether there appeared to be a correlating increase in cardiovascular disease.

Over those years, study participants reported 181 deaths and 162 cardio-vascular events, which included fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease, hospitalisation for heart failure, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or a stent procedure for blocked arteries. Long Office Work Hours Linked to Regular, Hidden High Blood Pressure: Study

The researchers found that each 3.6-mm spike in systolic blood pressure during young adulthood was associated with a 15-percent higher risk for heart disease events, independent of the averaged blood pressure levels during young adulthood and any single systolic blood pressure measurement in midlife.

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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three American adults have high blood pressure, and more than half don’t have it under control.

There are two types of hypertension — primary and secondary — and they each have different causes. Here’s what you need to know about the biggest risk factors.

What causes high blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of the blood against your artery walls is too high, and can potentially lead to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

Primary hypertension tends to develop as you age and there is no one identifiable cause, says Sanjiv Patel, MD, a cardiologist with MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center.

Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, is caused by other factors, such as adrenal gland tumors or kidney problems, like renal artery stenosis — a condition that narrows arteries resulting in less blood flow to the kidneys.

Because secondary hypertension is the result of an underlying cause, it can be treated by addressing that cause, Patel says, while primary hypertension has no cure — but can be controlled with lifestyle changes or medication.

Lifestyle factors often cause primary hypertension, Patel says. Some of the biggest risk factors include:

• Smoking cigarettes. Smoking can cause your blood pressure to temporarily increase and damage your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease. 
• Lack of exercise. Regular physical activity strengthens your heart, helping it pump blood more effectively. Less physical activity can contribute to a higher heart rate, putting more strain on your arteries and increasing blood pressure. 
• Obesity. Excess weight puts a strain on your circulatory system, and research shows it can contribute to hypertension. 
• Diet — particularly consuming too much sodium. Salt causes your body to retain fluid, which can increase blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. 
• Stress. Stress can cause your blood pressure to temporarily spike, and can also contribute to other behaviors that increase blood pressure, like poor diet and tobacco use.

How to know if you have high blood pressure 

Hypertension can cause headaches, blurred vision and shortness of breath, but you may not experience many symptoms until the condition is very severe, Patel says. 

However, certain people have a higher risk of hypertension. For example, older people — especially over the age of 60 — are more likely to have high blood pressure because blood vessels gradually lose flexibility as we age.

Here are some other physical and hereditary risk factors: 

• Family history. If you have a close family member who has high blood pressure before the age of 60, you are two times more likely to develop it. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will have high blood pressure, but it does increase your chances, particularly if combined with other risk factors like lack of physical activity and a poor diet, Patel says.  
• Gender. Men younger than 65 years old have consistently higher levels of hypertension when compared with women of the same age group, according to several studies. Research has also shown that even in their twenties, 27% of men had high blood pressure, while only 12% of women did.

Regular blood pressure checks at your doctor’s office or at home with a home blood pressure monitor can be crucial to identifying hypertension. If you think you’re at risk of hypertension based on these factors, you should contact your doctor to discuss treatment options.

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