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Hypertension (high blood pressure)

what is metabolic syndrome

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Read More »

Metabolic syndrome is an unhealthy metabolism that leads to fatal diseases such as heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer. Moreover, this condition affects more than a fifth of the US population and about a quarter of the European population. Even though its prevalence in South-east Asia is lower, it is still rapidly moving towards the rates of the western world even there. It should be understood that metabolic syndrome is a problem for not only overweight people. So, in 40 out of 70 percent of people with normal weight, doctors diagnose metabolic disorders. This is at least related to an increase in waist circumference or visceral obesity. So what is metabolic syndrome? How do you know if you are at risk? How can lifestyle help prevent this condition and what is the treatment aimed at? This article was last reviewed by Svetlana Baloban, Healsens, on January 24, 2020. This article was last modified on 4 September 2021. What is Metabolic Syndrome? Essentially, metabolic syndrome is the simultaneous presence of several conditions, such as obesity, hyperlipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol and / or lipoproteins), diabetes and / or hypertension. This combination was first described back in the late 1960s. Nowadays, medical organizations say that even a few of the risk factors are sufficient. Let’s take a look at which conditions are referred to as metabolic syndrome and which of the factors are more influential. Metabolic Syndrome Criteria The NCEP ATP III panel identified 3 of 5 risks of the next metabolic syndrome criteria: At the same time, the International Diabetes Federation names narrower ranges: IN THIS ARTICLE 1 What is Metabolic Syndrome? 2 What causes metabolic syndrome? 3 Metabolic Syndrome treatment 4 Supplements or Nutraceuticals for Metabolic Syndrome RELATED ARTICLES These are recommendations for the European race. For Chinese, Japanese and South Asians, a waist circumference of ≥90 cm for men is at risk. Note that weight is not taken into account, just the waist circumference. This is no accident. In the next chapter, we will review in detail why so much attention is paid to waist circumference. Other risk factors include the following indicators: 2) elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dl);  3) low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl in men, <50 mg/dl in women);  4) hypertension (≥130/≥85 mmHg); and  5) impaired fasting glucose (≥110 mg/dl). The American Heart Association reports a level of risk fasting glucose levels at ≥100 mg / dL. At the same time, the pathophysiology of this syndrome remains a subject of continuing controversy. However, despite the lack of knowledge, researchers have identified visceral obesity and insulin resistance as the most important causative factors. Central obesity or visceral obesity is readily assessed at waist circumference and is independently associated with each of the other components of metabolic syndrome. The second significant factor in the development of this disease is an increase in glucose levels (hyperglycemia). However, even a small increase, both on an empty stomach and after a meal, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. In addition, a prospective Quebec study has found that even with no increase in blood sugar, elevated insulin levels (i.e., insulin resistance) are associated with a risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, insulin resistance also contributes to the development of hypertension due to the loss of the vasodilator effect of insulin and vasoconstriction. What causes metabolic syndrome? The pathogenic mechanisms of MetS are complex and yet to be fully elucidated. However, the wide variation in geographic distribution of MetS emphasizes that the consumption of excess calories and lack of physical activity are the major contributors to the development of the disease. Moreover, visceral obesity is the key trigger for most pathways involved in metabolic syndrome. It is worth saying here that visceral fat may not be visible to the naked eye, but it is the fat that envelops the heart, liver and other organs, representing a real threat. By itself, visceral fat behaves very differently from subcutaneous fat. For example, visceral fat deposits contribute to insulin resistance. This is due to the fact that the visceral process of lipolysis leads to an increased supply of free fatty acids (FFAs) to the liver. This, in turn, increases synthesis of triglycerides and production of apolipoprotein B, the carrier of “bad cholesterol”. Ultimately, the “bad” particles become smaller, denser and much more numerous and easily penetrate the vascular endothelium, where they cause irreparable damage. Very high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and low levels of “good” cholesterol are indirect effects of insulin resistance. If you add to this an increase in triglycerides (atherogenic dyslipidemia), then even at a normal weight, you will get central obesity with the same high risk of death as obesity. Thus, as you can see, visceral fat, elevated insulin levels, and an unhealthy lipid profile (unhealthy cholesterol levels) are linked to each other. And all this leads to problems with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension. It is not a surprise why in Healsens, in addition to monitoring weight, we recommend monitoring waist circumference. Metabolic Syndrome treatment Exercise As previously described, MetS results from increased caloric intake out of proportion to metabolic requirements. That is why lifestyle changes are imperative to manage the main risk factors. The first step in reducing risk factors is maintaining ideal body weight. Accordingly, if BMI is increased, then weight loss is an important preventive and therapeutic strategy. However, weight loss doesn’t have to be a goal by itself. As we wrote above, people whose weight within the normal range may have visceral obesity, which can be measured by checking the circumference of the waist. In this case disease prevention will imply reducing visceral fat without losing weight. The good news is that numerous studies show that it suffice to add physical activity to help the problem. In fact, physical exercise can reduce visceral adipose tissue by 6.1%. Moreover, exercise itself is effective in maintaining muscle mass and facilitating mobility. As for exercise, if there is nAs for exercise, if there is no personal trainer to consult, 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week will

what is hypertension

What is hypertension?

What is hypertension? Read More »

Do you know that nearly half of adults in the United States (108 million, or 45%) have hypertension and 22.4% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition? How about other countries? Globally, 3.5 billion adults now have non-optimal systolic BP levels (that is, >110–115 mmHg) and 874 million adults have systolic BP ≥140 mmHg. Thus, approximately one in four adults has hypertension. However, studies show that high blood pressure is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Later on, we will tell you about these studies in detail. In the meantime, let’s talk about what hypertension is and how it can be prevented. This article was last reviewed by Svetlana Baloban, Healsens,, 2020. This article was last modified on December 14, 2020. What is Hypertension? Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. In 2017, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association published new guidelines for treating hypertension, defining high hypertension as blood pressure at the level of 130/80 mmHg. Stage 2 hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. This condition can lead to serious health complications and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death. About two-thirds of adults with hypertension or taking medication to lower blood pressure at the age of 30 have a roughly 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than their peers. In addition, cardiovascular disease in people with hypertension appears about 5 years earlier. This is why successful prevention and treatment of hypertension are crucial to reducing the burden of disease and increasing life expectancy. IN THIS ARTICLE 1 What is Hypertension? 2 Hypertension Causes 3 Diagnosis of Hypertension 4 What is normal blood pressure? 5 Laboratory investigations in the diagnosis of hypertension RELATED ARTICLES Hypertension Causes Defining hypertension we need to distinguish between primary and secondary hypertension. The majority of patients suffer from primary hypertension, which is approximately 85% to 95% of all cases. It should be said that the causes of hypertension include several types of genetic issues combined with many factors, which will be discussed below. In almost all of these cases, the disease is associated with a family history. As for secondary hypertension, it accounts for 5% to 15% of all cases. Secondary hypertension means that high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition. For example, high blood pressure can be the result of diseases such as kidney, glandular, and heart disease. Primary Hypertension So, speaking of primary hypertension, we primarily talk about genetic predisposition along with many lifestyle factors. What are the most significant factors? First, it is a high sodium (Na+) intake. Thus, high serum Na+ concentration promotes fluid (water) retention, thereby increasing blood volume and BP. When dietary Na+ increases in normotensive individuals, compensatory haemodynamic changes occur to maintain constant BP. These changes include a decrease in renal and peripheral vascular resistance and an increase in nitric oxide production by the endothelium. However, if the action of nitric oxide is impaired or absent, an increase in blood pressure occurs. The second factor is poor sleep quality or sleep apnea. Also, excessive alcohol consumption and high mental stress contribute to the development of hypertension. Finally, the likelihood of developing hypertension increases with age due to progressive hardening of the arterial vasculature. This induration is caused, among other things, by slowly developing changes in vascular collagen and an increase in atherosclerosis. Finally, immunological factors can also play an important role. So, against the background of infectious or rheumatological diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension may develop. Secondary Hypertension As we mentioned above, secondary hypertension means that it is caused by some other medical condition. Let’s talk about important clues pointing to some other causes of hypertension. First of all, such clues include young age. So, in young people under 30 years of age, renal causes or coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aortic lumen) are often determined. And it is because of these problems that the pressure rises. It is also helpful to understand what symptoms or signs may indicate secondary causes of high blood pressure (see table 1). Another indicator that high blood pressure is caused by another disease is severe hypertension (BP ≥ 180/110 mm Hg). And also a situation when, despite the simultaneous administration of three antihypertensive drugs of different classes, including a diuretic, the pressure still remains above 140/90 mm Hg (resistant hypertension). Much attention should be paid to a sharp exacerbation of hypertension in a patient with previously stable control. Diagnosis of Hypertension High blood pressure is a silent danger, because only a few patients have clear hypertension symptoms. Thus, it’s important to know what hypertension is. And that is why in clinical practice, all adults should have BP measured at regular doctor visits. In addition, since 2010, it has been recommended to measure blood pressure on your own, for example at home or at pressure measurement points. This ability to independently measure blood pressure allows you to identify various phenotypes of the disease. We are talking about such conditions as white coat hypertension (isolated clinical hypertension) and masked (isolated outpatient) hypertension. How to measure your blood pressure? It is recommended to measure your blood pressure correctly at regular intervals. Sit quietly for 5 minutes before starting the measurement. The cuff should be adjusted to fit the arm and positioned at heart level. In addition, BP should be checked both while sitting and standing. In this way, you can exclude orthostatic hypotension. This is a condition where an excessive decrease in blood pressure (BP) occurs when taking an upright position. Finally, it should be said that at least once BP should be measured on both arms. This should be done in order to compare varying results. If the difference in SBP is 20 mm Hg. and / or DBP more than 10 mm Hg., it is already a sign of vascular anomalies. If you follow these guidelines, you will receive several records and will be able to calculate the average value from these 2-3 measurements. You can get average values in

DASH Diet

DASH HEALTHY DIET TO STOP HYPERTENSION

DASH HEALTHY DIET TO STOP HYPERTENSION Read More »

There are many different diets that appear regularly, gathering numerous fans and followers around themselves. But despite this diversity, just a few of them have actually proven effective, including safety and possible side effects. And if the diet is not only required to reduce weight, but also prevent serious chronic diseases, then the choice becomes very small. In fact, only two eating plans, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet, are backed by extensive scientific evidence for health benefits, such as controlling blood pressure and preventing heart attacks and strokes. Today we will talk about DASH diet for treating hypertension. Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet originated in the 1990s. The diet was created after researchers noticed that high blood pressure was much less common in people who followed a plant-based diet, such as vegans and vegetarians. To verify this observation, in 1992, the National Institute of Health (NIH) started funding several research projects to see if specific dietary interventions were useful in treating hypertension. So, people included in the study were advised to follow certain dietary suggestions and not to include any other lifestyle modifications. As a result, it was discovered that the dietary intervention alone was able to decrease systolic Blood Pressure by about 6 to 11 mm Hg. That is to say, this effect was seen both in hypertensive as well as normotensive people. Based on these results, in some instances DASH has been advocated as the first-line pharmacologic therapy along with lifestyle modification. Besides, U.S. News and World Report, evaluating the most popular diets annually, defines the DASH diet as the most effective among healthy diets. In 2020, DASH diet took first place in the nomination of the Best Diets for Healthy Eating. IN THIS ARTICLE 1 What is DASH diet? 2 Getting Started on DASH Healthy Diet 3 Learn more about DASH dietary guidelines 4 DASH Diet Effects on Other Diseases 5 Healthy Dash Diet Meal Plan RELATED ARTICLES DASH Diet is ranked: What is DASH diet? The DASH diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. It also advocates the reduction of sodium in the diet to about 1500 mg/day. And also it emphasizes on consumption of minimally processed and fresh food. The DASH eating plan requires no special foods. So that a typical serving guide is as follows: Vegetables: about 5 servings per day Fruits: about 5 servings per day Carbohydrates: about 7 servings per day Low-fat dairy products: about 2 servings per day Lean meat products: about 2 or fewer servings per day Nuts and seeds: 2 to 3 times per week. DASH Diet is balanced and can be followed long term, which is a key reason nutrition experts rank it as US News’ Best Overall Diet. Getting Started on DASH Healthy Diet Even small lifestyle changes made gradually can lead to significant health benefits.   People who want to get the most benefit from the DASH diet would have to limit their sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day. This is a difficult task although effective in dealing with hypertension. For most other adults, the limit is 2,300 mg. Here are some tips on how to reduce your salt intake: For more guidance, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute publishes free guides on the plan, including one (PDF here) that’s 20 pages and one (PDF here) that’s six. They’ll help you determine how many calories you should eat for your age and activity level, tell you where those calories should come from and remind you to consume less salt. Learn more about DASH dietary guidelines Carbohydrates and Fats Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body. So, healthy carbohydrates included under DASH include: Fats are used for energy after they are broken into fatty acids. You have probably heard about good and bad fats. Good fats prevent inflammation and promote overall health. These fats, when consumed in moderation, have shown an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering of small dense LDL particles. You can find some of the sources of good fats below: Bad fats such as margarine, vegetable shortenings, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cause an increase in small LDL particles, which is destructive to your blood vessels. Therefore, their consumption must be excluded. Proteins Proteins are natural organic substances consisting of amino acids and playing a fundamental role in the life of our bodies. DASH recommends more servings of plant proteins such as legumes, soy products, nuts, and seeds. As for animal protein, it should be mainly composed of lean meats, low-fat dairy products, eggs, and fish. Processed and canned meat is not recommended because it causes hypertension and also contains carcinogens. In conclusion, we want to add that the DASH diet also includes foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. This is due to the fact that they prevent vascular wall pathology. Some of the potassium-rich foods included in the diet are bananas, oranges, and spinach. Dairy products and green leafy vegetables bring enough calcium to the body. And magnesium comes with the consumption of whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. DASH Diet Effects on Other Diseases Several studies have shown that DASH diet helps lower blood glucose levels, triglycerides, LDL-C, and insulin resistance. This makes DASH diet a very important adjunct to pharmacological therapy in metabolic syndromes. It also has been a successful tool in weight management. Another research showed that adherence to the DASH diet has shown significant improvements in control of type 2 diabetes. It is also a preferred diet among patients with heart failure. In addition, the DASH diet has also shown a reduction in the incidence of colorectal cancer. Besides, numerous studies have proven DASH dieting to reduce general mortality from all causes. To sum up, DASH can be a very useful tool to tackle hypertension more efficiently. When compared to some other dietery patterns, it has an added advantage of having clear guidelines on the serving sizes and food groups, which makes it easier for

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