At the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2022 in San Diego, a research analysis was presented. Further, this analysis estimated that every year, heart disease related fatal incidents could be prevented in 15000 men and 11000 women.
One of the primary causes of Cardiovascular diseases is Hypertension or High Blood Pressure(BP). Cardiologists strongly advocate a composite programme of Lifestyle management with Exercise as a key element from early childhood. Additionally, the DASH Diet still seems the best lifestyle change that may reduce cardiovascular disease risk among the young and middle-aged adults with Stage 1 hypertension.
A new research in the US shows how following this regime is key to arresting Stage 1 hypertension. Besides, Simple lifestyle changes like regular excercise, limiting or substituting of alcohol intake can prevent thousands of deaths and reduce healthcare costs.
The 2 Stages of Hypertension
According to the 2017 joint American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology there are following 2 stages of Hypertension.
| Stages | Systolic (top number) | Diastolic (bottom number) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 130-139 mm Hg | 8 0-89 mm Hg |
| 2 | 140 mm Hg or higher | 90 mm Hg or higher |
Dr. Kendra D. Sims, Ph.D., M.P.H., a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco and co-lead researcher of this study
“Two of the most studied The research team found that 8.8 million adults in the US between the ages of 35 and 64, have untreated stage 1 hypertension and could improve with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity, sustained weight loss, moderating alcohol intake and adoption of the DASH diet”.
What is Dash Diet All About ?
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension also called as DASH is all about the Eating Plan. This eating plan is designed to help manage blood pressure and therefore makes Dash Diet effective. Moreover, The Dash Diet emphasises on eating more of fruits, vegetables, lean meat sources, nut, seeds and grains. Dash Diet limits consumption of red meat, salt, sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Study Report on Dash Diet and Stage 1 Hypertension Treatment
Stage 1 hypertension candidates are at a considerably low risk of heart attack or stroke than stage 2 hypertension candidates. In the absence of other sicknesses like Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease etc Stage 1 cases do not require medication. Stage 1 cases can be treated by simple lifestyle modification.
Dr. Kendra D. Sims, Ph.D., M.P.H.
According to Dr. Kendra D. Sims, Ph.D., M.P.H., a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco and co-lead researcher of study on Dash Diet and Stage 1 Hypertension,
“Nearly nine million young and middle-aged adults with untreated stage 1 hypertension represent a significant, impending burden for health care systems. Our results provide strong evidence that large-scale, healthy behaviour modifications may prevent future heart disease, related complications and excess health care costs.”
Dr Nagendra Singh Chauhan, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Heart Institute, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, India
Echoing Dr. Kendra’s observations, Dr Nagendra Singh Chauhan, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Heart Institute, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram said
“We know that DASH Diet is extremely important, especially in controlling hypertension — specifically in Stage 1. Why was Stage 1 created? So, before the latest guidelines in 2017, this stage — where BP is between 132/139 and 180/189 — was considered as pre-hypertension or early hypertension. “
“We do not refer to this stage as hypertension because then a very large population would classify as hypertensive. However ultimately people realise that this (their blood pressure) is a problem they need to address. We, doctors, tend to use the term hypertension so that patients become more cautious and adopt treatment, which at this stage consists only of lifestyle modifications and no medicine” Dr. Nagendra added
How Dash Diet Plan Ranks Amongst All Diet Plans
“Lifestyle modifications include exercise and diet — here DASH Diet is extremely important. It is considered in the top eight best diets to get Hypertension and Cardiovascular diseases under control. It is a very simple diet and suggests that we stick to vegetables, protein, dairy, lean meat, nuts, fruits and avoid sweets, sugar, sweetened drinks, carbohydrates, easily digestible carbohydrates, fatty meat and saturated fat. “
“This is a general fact — any diet with sweets and saturated fat is not good and now we are giving equal importance to both components. Additionally, you need to exercise. This again is known but what one needs to understand that in addition to the DASH Diet, it will help manage the symptoms of hypertension especially in stage 1 and 2. While it is important even for stage 3 patients, it can prove to be the most effective if adopted in stage 1,” adds Dr Chauhan.
DASH Diet and the Essential Food Nutrients For Effectiveness
The DASH Diet together with advising and restraining on certain foods also suggests focusing on specific nutrients. Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium are micronutrients that play a vital role in blood pressure control. These nutrients are therefore also significant for intake via this diet plan as well.
DASH Diet is a natural way to treat High blood Pressure. Through its well researched analysis and report Dash Diet encourages intake of several micronutrients including fibre. The DASH Diet is certainly an evidence-based approach to managing blood pressure.
DASH Diet is an effective tool that will enable us to inculcate the habits of eating a healthy diet. Additionally, having a regular excercise regime in early childhood will certify that our future generations are hypertension free.
