High blood pressure: Lifestyle changes to reduce reading
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However, certain boozy drinks associated with Christmas could be bad for your blood pressure. Take eggnog, for example, which usually has a dash of rum, whisky or brandy, but it typically contains spices, milk and cream too. Heavy cream contains added sugars, which – if consumed a fair bit – could lead to weight gain and high blood pressure.
Dietitian Tracy Parker said: “Previous studies have suggested that [consuming] too much added sugar increases a person’s risk of the development of diseases, including hypertension.”
Hypertension is the medical term to describe a blood pressure reading of 140/90mmHg or higher.
High blood pressure rarely has any noticeable symptoms, but an at-home monitor or a reading at a pharmacy, or at the doctor’s office, can be telling.
Around a third of British adults are estimated, by the NHS, to have high blood pressure.
There are many risks associated with high blood pressure, which can range from heart disease to vascular dementia.
Health risks associated with high blood pressure:
- Heart disease
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Aortic aneurysms
- Kidney disease
- Vascular dementia.
Drinking too much alcohol is considered a risk factor for developing high blood pressure.
The health body recommends people should drink no more than 14 units per week; several alcohol-free days each week is also suggested.
Another Christmassy tipple that could raise your blood pressure is Baileys Irish Cream.
As stated within the brand name, Baileys contains cream, which means it also contains added sugars.
“Drinking alcohol increases blood pressure and repeated drinking causes sustained high blood pressure,” notes Drinkaware.
In addition to drinking responsibly – and moderately, if at all – this Christmas – other factors could lead to dangerous high blood pressure.
While the biting cold this winter could encourage you to stay indoors, not doing enough exercise is a health hazard.
Not only does a sedentary existence increase the likelihood of obesity and high blood pressure, it’s associated with numerous diseases.
Christmas is typically the season for overindulgence, but it’s always a good idea to look after your health.
The NHS advises people to cut down on the amount of salt they put on their food.
“Salt raises your blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure,” the health body explains.
While many people like to add salt to their Christmas spuds, for example, using other herbs, such as rosemary, could add flavour without the health risk of high blood pressure.
In addition to drinking responsibly – and moderately, if at all – this Christmas – other factors could lead to dangerous high blood pressure.
While the biting cold this winter could encourage you to stay indoors, not doing enough exercise is a health hazard.
Not only does a sedentary existence increase the likelihood of obesity and high blood pressure, it’s associated with numerous diseases.
Christmas is typically the season for overindulgence, but it’s always a good idea to look after your health.
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