High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is common and affects more than one in four adults in the UK. But a significant majority of people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms, states Bupa.
In rare circumstances when people do experience symptoms, they may have a headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations and nose bleeds.
An unhealthy diet can be one of the main causes of high blood pressure so eating less sugar, salt and saturated fat is one of the recommended forms of treatment.
Adding more calcium and potassium to your diet is also advised, and some health experts believe a specific drink can help lower your reading.
Research carried out by Queen Mary University of London, and funded by British Heart Foundation (BHF), involved 64 volunteers who drank a cup of beetroot juice a day for the duration of the study.
The participants, who were all high blood pressure patients, drank 150ml of the vegetable juice a day and were found to have blood pressure levels back in what is considered the normal range.
BHF explains: “The effect is caused by the high heels of a type of chemical called nitrates, which is found in high quantities in beetroot, and other leafy green vegetables like kale and cabbage.”
Professor Amrita Ahluwalia, who led the research, said:
“This research has proven that a daily inorganic nitrate dose can be as effective as medical intervention in reducing blood pressure and the best part is we can get it from beetroot and other leafy green vegetables.”
“For those looking to work dietary nitrate into their daily diets, the trick is not to boil the vegetables – as dietary nitrate is water soluble – but steaming, roasting or drinking in a juice all has a positive effect.”
Dr Shannon Amoils, Senior Research Advisor at the British Heart Foundation, added: “This interesting study builds on previous research by this team and finds that a daily glass of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension – even those whose high blood pressure was not controlled by drug treatment.
“The possibility of using a natural product, rather than another pill, to help lower blood pressure, is very appealing.”
But Dr Amoils also advised the trial was small, ad the next step would be to see if the result can be repeated in a much larger group of people with high blood pressure and over a longer period of time.”
So what is considered a normal blood pressure reading?
NHS Choices advises that blood pressure is recorded with two numbers. The systolic pressure (the higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.
The diastolic pressure (the lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. Both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
Ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
Hypertension is considered to be 150/90mmHg or higher, and low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
The health body adds: “A blood pressure reading between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you don’t take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.”
All adults over 40 are advised to have theirs checked at least every five years, and this can be done at your GP surgery, at some pharmacies, as part of your NHS Health Check in some workplaces.
