Dietary Factors That Cause Hypertension

Hypertension is a fairly common and serious problem. With all of the factors that could be involved, from the emotional to the environmental stresses that bombard people in every day life, it's no wonder that this condition, commonly known as high blood pressure, is as rampant as it is. However, one of the major contributing factors may be found not in the mind or in the workplace, but in a person's diet.

Salt

• Salt is one of the biggest, dietary contributors to hypertension. Salt, when ingested in larger than necessary quantities, has been shown to tighten muscles and to harden as well as constrict arteries. This makes it harder for blood to pass through, and thus the heart must work harder, which creates high blood pressure.

Meat

• Eating meat, particularly read meat, can be a contributor to hypertension. Meat contains both animal fats and salts in fairly large quantities, which are both bad for veins and arteries. This is especially true of processed meat, such as that served at some fast food chains and supermarkets. Cutting back on all varieties of meat, if they make up too much of your diet, may help with hypertension.

Cholesterol

• Cholesterol can build up inside arteries and cause blockages. This is especially a risk for those who are already suffering from hypertension, and can be deadly. However, consulting with a doctor and eating certain types of foods such as whole grains can reduce the risk and amount of cholesterol in a person's veins and arteries.

Alternatives

• While foods such as meats, white sugars and salt are partially culpable for hypertension, these foods can be replaced with healthier alternatives. Good examples of these are fresh fruits and vegetables, natural, whole grains and other organic foods.

Other Culprits

• Hypertension, like any other condition, can only be partially blamed on a person's diet. There are often other factors that need to be addressed for a more complete recovery from high blood pressure. Some of these include emotional factors, such as personal stress or work stress, as well as how often a person exercises and what sort of exercise she performs.