Tag Archives: High blood pressure

General

Know Your Numbers!

During 12-18 September 2016, it is Know Your Numbers! week.

This years aim is to promote Know Your Numbers!, Know Your Risks!

If you do not have blood pressure checks you are more at risk from a stroke or heart disease – that’s why its important to Know Your Numbers!

High blood pressure has no symptoms, which is why it’s known as the silent killer.

One in three adults (16 million) have high blood pressure in the UK.

Blood pressure checks are free at your GP practice, local pharmacy or at Blood Pressure UK pressure stations during Know Your Numbers! week. To find your nearest free blood pressure station, CLICK HERE.

For more information about high blood pressure, CLICK HERE.

To read more about Know Your Numbers! week, CLICK HERE.

General

The Health Benefits Of Cherry Juice

We have some good news for the five million people in England who suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) – cherry juice could help lower high blood pressure. cherry

Researchers have found that drinking cherry juice is just as good as taking blood pressure medication.

A study found that people who drank 60ml of cherry concentrate, diluted with water, saw their blood pressure drop by 7% in 3 hours.

If high blood pressure is left untreated it can increase the risk of heart failure, kidney disease, stroke, heart attack and dementia.

But drinking 60ml of cherry concentrate can reduce  the risk of a stroke by 38% and heart disease by 23%.

The scientists think that cherry juice has a strong impact on blood pressure because it is rich in phenolic acids.

Study leader Karen Keane, whose work was funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute in the US, said: ‘The majority of cardiovascular disease is caused by risk factors that can be controlled, treated or modified.

These include high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, tobacco use, lack of physical activity and diabetes.

Raised blood pressure is the leading cause of deaths from cardiovascular disease, yet relatively small reductions in blood pressure can have a large impact on mortality rates.

The magnitude of the blood pressure lowering effects we observed was comparable to those achieved by a single anti-hypertensive drug and highlights the potential importance that Montmorency cherries could have in the effective management of high blood pressure.’

Co-author Professor Glyn Howatson added: ‘This is the first study to investigate the acute effects of Montmorency tart cherry consumption on blood pressure, arterial stiffness and microvascular vasodilation in males with early hypertension.

This exciting set of data complements a growing body of research to show that eating the right sorts of foods can provide potential health benefits.

We believe these benefits might be linked to the combined actions of some of the plant compounds within the Montmorency concentrate and the positive impact they exert on vascular function.’

This is good news for those who suffer from the side effects of blood pressure medication. Some blood presure medicine can cause erectile dysfunction and depression.

If you have any concerns regarding high blood pressure, please see your GP.

If you are currently taking medicine for high blood pressure, you should not stop taking this for cherry juice.

To read more CLICK HERE.

If you think you suffer from erectile dysfunction, please go to www.ukmeds4u.com for your free online private consultation.

Diet, General

Can Yogurt Help Reduce The Risk Of High Blood Pressure?

yogurtResearch has shown that women who eat five or more portions of yogurt a week are less likely to develop high blood pressure (hypertension) than those who ate yogurt once a month.

Data taken from 100,000’s of men and women have found that the risk of high blood pressure was lowered by a fifth.

The effect was more visible in women as women tend to eat more yogurt than men.

Thoese who ate yogurt 5 times a week saw the benefit more than people who ate lots of fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts.

Another way to treat high blood pressure is medication such as beta-blockers and diuretics. But like every medication they come with side effects. One of the side effects is erectile dysfunction.

If you have any concerns that you have high blood pressure, please see your GP.

If you think you suffer from erectile dysfunction, please go to, www.ukmeds4u.com for your free e-consultation.

To read the full article, please click here

Diet

Can a Mediterranean diet really combat obesity and reduce the effects of metabolic syndrome?

There’s been a common belief for many years that if you eat a Mediterranean diet then you’re likely to live longer, but now, there’s research that claims that by eating a Mediterranean diet you may actually be able to reverse the effects of metabolic syndrome, by reducing obesity and blood glucose levels that lead to the condition.obesity

Metabolic syndrome is combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity which puts people at a higher risk of things like heart disease and strokes.

So….we thought that we would take a look into the facts and see what it all means to us…and see if there’s anything we can do to help ourselves, and you, get a bit healthier.

What’s involved?

Well….Its seems that the most important part of the diet is Olive Oil or nuts.

So, along with a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish and whole-grains, by adding nuts or Olive Oil you can help your weight reduce and lower your blood glucose levels.

That sounds too good to be true doesn’t it?

The research..

This information has come from a Spanish study done at Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan de Reus on a group of nearly 5800 men and women (aged 55-80) and were all at risk of heart disease. They were split into three groups, One group ate a Mediterranean diet with extra olive oil, another had the Mediterranean diet, with added nuts and the final ate a traditional low-fat diet. (you know…they one we’re all trying to follow).

Research showed the both the ‘Mediterranean diet’ groups lost weight and reduced their blood sugar levels…Pretty significant, bearing in mind the current advice is to follow a low-fat diet to achieve these results!

The Mediterranean diet also seems to stop people from collecting fat around their middles (the classic apple shape), which is commonly identified as being a precursor to diabetes…

It is estimated that if we increased the amount of fruit and vegetables we eat by just one portion per day, and the amount of nuts eaten by two portions per week, then this could prevent up to 5.2 million deaths from cardiovascular disease in just one year!

So, will you change?

It seems like our Mediterranean cousins have been getting it right all this time….Maybe think of every meal as a mini holiday…. but we’re not sure all the wine counts!

To find out more, check out the NHS Mediterranean diet information here and make your choice.

Comment below and let us know what you think or if you will be changing your diet – We think we will!

For more information on obesity and treatments to help with weight loss, please go to: www.ukmeds4u.com

Erectile dysfunction

Could Erectile Dysfunction be an early indicator of Heart Disease?

A recent study by Lund University in Sweden has found that the most common cause (in 4 out of every 5 cases), is a poor lack of circulation in the penis resulting in an impaired erection, and in some cases no erection at all!

What causes the poor circulation?

Rasmus Borgquist (the physician that led the studies) has discovered that if these vessels have been affected by atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) then it is likely that the same process could be underway in the coronary artery in the heart.

Is it a reason to worry?

Honestly? Maybe – The study also found that men suffering from ED also had increased instances of high blood pressure, high blood fat and several other risk factors for heart disease.

The main point from this study has shown that seeking
medical advice as soon as you notice a problem, can ultimately save you from further health complications and may well save your life!

Lifestyle Choices

It has been noticed since the early 1980’s that there could be a connection between heart disease and impotence/ED, but this link has only recently started to be investigated and studied in more depth.

Several changes can be made straight away to help your ED and in turn reduce the risk of heart disease.

These are the usual changes in your lifestyle (i.e. quit smoking, more exercise, diet change) and if these things do not help, then there are several different medications you can take which can help with any contributing factors you may have such as to lower your blood
pressure.

Stop Smoking and Lose Weight – It Helps!

The results of the study also showed that by stopping smoking and losing weight 3 out of every 5 had increased potency and significantly reduced chances of contracting heart disease.

What will make YOU change?

It has been proven that it is often easier for those suffering from ED to accept that they need to make a change if they know it will increase their potency, rather than talk about the risk of having a heart attack later in life.

There is help available

Companies are now bringing many new drugs to market to combat ED, that also help to combat other issues like heart disease. There is lots of help available any time.

A problem shared

Naturally, people feel that it is an awkward subject to talk about with their partner or GP, but often, once this subject has been discussed it becomes a much easier subject to tackle.

If you or anyone you know struggles with ED and/or heart disease, then don’t suffer in silence. Leave a reply to this post, or visit our facebook page/Twitter and our community will be happy to lend an ear and provide friendly advice.