High blood pressure affects more than 25 per cent of UK adults, according to the NHS.
Having high blood pressure, or hypertension, puts extra strain on the body’s blood vessels and vital organs.
It increases the risk of life-threatening complications, including heart attacks, strokes and heart disease.
In very extreme cases, symptoms of high blood pressure can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe headaches.
But, you could prevent high blood pressure by adding more flaxseed to your diet, nutritionists have claimed.
Flaxseeds could help to lower your blood pressure, as they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, said medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer.
Adding the superfood to your diet could subsequently lower your risk of a stroke by 50 per cent, and heart attacks by 30 per cent, added the American Heart Association.
Eating just 30g of ground flaxseed everyday for six months could reduce blood pressure by as much as 10/7mmHg, according to the FlaxPAD study.
Patients with high blood pressure may even see a larger benefit by eating the superfood, and could slash their blood pressure by up to 15/7mmHg by eating more flaxseeds, the study revealed.
“Flaxseed is emerging as one of the most effective nutritional medicines for lowering a high blood pressure,” said Brewer.
“Also known as linseed, flaxseed are a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols known as lignans.
“They are also a good source of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and fibre.
“The blood pressure lowering effect of flaxseed is thought to result from their high levels of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid.
“This omega-3 was found to block an enzyme called epoxide hydrolase which would otherwise generate substances known as oxylipins which are associated with a rise in blood pressure.”
You could also lower your blood pressure by cutting back on the amount of salt you eat, the NHS said.
Regular exercise and getting at least six hours of sleep every night could help to prevent hypertension, it added.
All adults over 40 years old should get their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
The only way of knowing if you have hypertension is to get it checked.
See a GP or some pharmacists to get your blood pressure checked.
Alternatively, you can check your blood pressure at home if you have a home blood pressure monitor.
