High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. But, you could lower your risk of developing hypertension by avoiding salt in your dinner, it’s been claimed.
High blood pressure – which is also known as hypertension – puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.
The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.
It could be caused by eating an unhealthy diet, or by not doing enough exercise.
You could be raising your chances of deadly hypertension if you regularly add salt to your dinner.
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“Use less salt,” urged registered dietitian Harriet Smith.
She told Express Health: “Most people eat more salt than the recommended 6g/day.
“Try not to add salt at the table and instead flavour your food using herbs, spices and citrus fruits.
“Try to [also] include fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, dairy, nuts, seeds, pulses, lean meat and fish and healthy fats such as olive or rapeseed oil in your diet.”
You could counteract the effect of sodium in your bloodstream by eating more potassium-rich foods, however.
Potassium filters the blood, and sucks out any extra fluid which is subsequently passed out of the body in urine.
Fruit and vegetables are some of the best sources of potassium, according to charity Blood Pressure UK.
Everyone should try to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, while bananas and potatoes are the best sources of potassium.
High blood pressure is often known as ‘the silent killer’, because symptoms only tend to reveal themselves if you have extremely high blood pressure.
The most common high blood pressure symptoms include a pounding in your chest, finding blood in your urine, and severe headaches.
It’s crucial that all adults over 40 years old check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
You can check your blood pressure by visiting your local doctors’ surgery or pharmacy.