Why do hypertensive patients need to reduce their intake of fish and salt? -Life health

Eating salt is a risk factor for high blood pressure and leads to dangerous complications such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure… That’s why eating less salt, eating bland food is a good thing. effective measures to prevent and treat high blood pressure.

1. Why does eating salty foods cause high blood pressure?

Salt is made up of about 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Sodium is an essential mineral for muscle and nerve function. Along with chloride, it also helps the body maintain proper water and mineral balance.

Salt is often used to flavor foods or preserve them. Therefore, in daily life, salt is an indispensable condiment.

For some people who have a habit of eating salty foods, the more salt they add to the dishes, the more delicious and richer they will be. However, eating too much salt can cause adverse health effects. In particular, eating a lot of salt is a risk factor for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.

When the amount of sodium in the blood is high, the kidneys can’t work at their maximum capacity, increasing osmotic pressure in the blood vessels. As a result, water will move inside the vessel according to osmotic pressure causing an increase in blood volume. Therefore, eating salty foods is a cause of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

BS. Le Thanh Van

When you eat too much salt, water will be retained in the blood vessels, increasing the volume of circulating blood, increasing blood pressure in the arteries leading to increased blood pressure.

Normally, the kidneys do a good job of regulating the amount of sodium and water in the blood. Eating too much salt can upset this balance, causing sodium levels in the blood to rise. This causes the body to retain more water and increases both the fluid that surrounds the cells and the volume of blood.

As blood volume increases, pressure on the blood vessels begins to increase and the heart needs to work harder to transport blood around the body. Over time, this stress can lead to hardening of the blood vessels and increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

In addition, the use of too much salt leads to a number of other disadvantages to health such as: water retention in heart failure, fatty kidneys; causing cyclic edema, premenstrual edema, idiopathic edema; increase spasm or trigger an asthma attack; increase calcium excretion through the kidneys, increase the risk of osteoporosis…

Eating too much salt is a cause of heart disease and high blood pressure.

2. How should people with high blood pressure eat?

For patients with hypertension, without proper treatment and lifestyle changes will be very dangerous, the risk of serious complications increases greatly. Therefore, the goal when treating hypertension for patients is to eliminate risk factors, control blood pressure levels to prevent complications.

To control blood pressure well and maintain a healthy life, people with high blood pressure need to have a proper diet and food choices.

According to MSc Le Thi Hai, former director of the Center for Nutrition Examination and Counseling, National Institute of Nutrition, hypertensive patients in addition to taking regular antihypertensive drugs as prescribed by a cardiologist Adhering to the diet and lifestyle changes also play an important role in stabilizing blood pressure and avoiding complications of the disease.

About the diet for people with high blood pressure should pay attention to:

– Eat light: Eat less salt, should only eat 2 -3g salt / day.

Should practice eating boiled vegetables without dipping salty fish sauce, the cooked soup is lighter than normal taste. Increase steaming and boiling, limit stir-fried dishes, salty stock. Do not eat processed foods, do not eat pickled tomatoes and fish sauces: shrimp paste, shrimp paste …

– In addition, it should be noted not to eat animal fat and viscera; Eat vegetable oils in moderation; Eat more green vegetables and less sweet fruits; Should drink milk daily (400-500ml), should drink unsweetened skim milk or unsweetened nut milk.

– If you are overweight or obese, you must eat less starch, sugar, and fat to return to normal weight. Do not drink alcohol and smoke…

People with high blood pressure should eat less salt as much as possible.

3. Good food for hypertensive patients

3.1. Green vegetables

Green vegetables are a rich source of fiber, vitamins and minerals that help lower cholesterol, slow down the progression of atherosclerosis, control blood pressure and protect heart health. .

Patients should eat vegetables such as tomatoes, celery, vegetables, squash, potatoes, mushrooms, wood ear …

3.2. Fresh fruit

Fruit is also a good source of fiber and antioxidants. Especially vitamin C – a vitamin found in citrus fruits helps strengthen the immunity of sick people. In addition, vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium in this fruit also improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve heart health.

Banana is very good for people with high blood pressure because it is a fruit rich in fiber, antioxidants and potassium that help improve digestion, lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure.

People with high blood pressure should eat watermelon. The main ingredients in watermelon are water and vitamins C, A, and PP, which help fight oxidation, lower cholesterol, control blood pressure and protect heart health.

Fruits rich in vitamin C are good for people with high blood pressure.

3.3. Kinds of bean

Legumes provide some natural carbs along with plant-based protein and a host of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, which supports healthy blood pressure. Plus, soluble and insoluble fiber, including the naturally occurring resistant starch found in beans, can help support blood pressure control.

3.4. Whole grains

Whole grains like oats are good choices to support healthy blood pressure. Unlike refined grains, whole grains contain a richer and more varied range of healthful nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Eating more whole grains rich in fiber may also reduce the risk of hypertension by strengthening the gut microbiome. Oats can be especially valuable because they contain a type of fiber called beta-glucans. Eating this type of fiber has been linked to both lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

3.5. Pure yogurt

Natural yogurt contains a trio of blood pressure-supporting minerals: healthy calcium, magnesium and potassium. Plus, according to research, the probiotics found in yogurt can improve blood pressure.

4. Simple ways to reduce salt in the diet of people with high blood pressure

According to the doctor’s advice, people with high blood pressure should only eat less than 3g of salt per day. So how to reduce salt so that the dishes are still delicious and nutritious?

Patients should reduce salt by:

– When preparing food, limit seasoning and salting

– Use a variety of steamed, boiled dishes instead of braised, fried, grilled dishes…

– Limit the use of spices and sauces placed on the table while eating

– Do not use processed foods with a lot of salt such as pickles, sausages, ham, bacon…

– When buying canned or processed foods, you should read the ingredients carefully so that you can “say no” to products with too much salt.

– Cook at home to control salt intake.

Should eat a lot of steamed, boiled dishes; Limit frying.

5. Prevention of high blood pressure

To prevent high blood pressure, we need to pay attention to follow a healthy lifestyle and a scientific diet. Specifically:

– Eat a balanced and nutritious diet

– Only use no more than 5g of salt/day

– Increase the intake of green vegetables and fresh fruits

Limit foods high in cholesterol and saturated fatty acids

– Ensure enough potassium and trace elements in the daily diet

– Limit alcohol consumption.

– Do not smoke, pipe tobacco

In addition, it is necessary to maintain a reasonable weight, at the same time increase physical activity, avoid anxiety, stress, and live positively. Regularly check blood pressure for early detection and timely treatment.