A General Physician, Dr Tosin Olowojebutu, on Thursday advised people with high Blood Pressure (BP) not to consume canned foods and fatty or oily foods which were detrimental to their health.
Olowojebutu, who is the Medical Director, Liberty-Life Hospital, Ogudu, Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that canned and fatty foods would increase blood pressure level.
According to him, people should also ensure that they live and work in smoke-free environments.
He described blood pressure as “the pressure at which blood pushes against ones’ vessels as blood passes through the body’’.
“A normal blood pressure allows blood to flow and deliver oxygen and food to different parts of the body.
“We measure blood pressure with two numbers (124/84 mmHg). The first number is called the systolic blood pressure and the second is called the diastolic blood pressure.
“Systolic blood pressure is the highest blood pressure measurement and it is recorded when the heart contracts.
“Diastolic blood pressure is the lowest blood pressure measurement and it is recorded when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.
“The ideal blood pressure is 120/70mmHg; any figure between this and 140/90 is pre-hypertension and a call to action and lifestyle modifications, ’’ Olowojebutu said.
He urged people with high blood pressure to reduce the risks associated with High BP through modification of their lifestyle.
“People with high BP should be physically active for 30 to 60 minutes daily by walking, biking, swimming, dancing or any other physical activity.
“They should eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products and other foods low in fat and salt,’’ Olowojebu said.
He added that drinking less and keeping the body weight within a healthy range would also help to prevent and lower blood pressure.
“It is important to stop smoking if one has high blood pressure.
“Smoking increases the risk of developing heart problems and other diseases’’ Olowojebutu told NAN. (NAN)