High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as blood pressure that is higher than the usual range. Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day in response to your daily activities. In some cases, having blood pressure readings persistently more elevated than average might lead to high blood pressure (or hypertension) diagnosis. The normal pressure is 120/80 or less. If your blood pressure is 130/80 or higher, you have high blood pressure (stage 1). High blood pressure in stage 2 is measured at 140/90 or greater. You should seek medical attention as soon as your blood pressure reaches 180/110 or higher on more than one occasion.
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Role of Potassium in Regulating Blood Pressure
Sodium has a negative influence on blood pressure; hence potassium-rich foods are helpful in the management of high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). Sodium excretion through urine increases directly in proportion to how much potassium you consume. Aside from that, potassium helps relax the muscles in your blood vessel walls, which further reduces your blood pressure.
Increasing potassium through diet is recommended in persons with blood pressure more significant than 120/80 who are otherwise healthy. Those suffering from kidney illness, an ailment that affects how the body handles potassium, or those taking specific medications may find potassium hazardous to their health. Your doctor should be involved in deciding whether or not you should take extra potassium supplements.
How Should You Add Potassium to Your Diet?
An average adult’s daily potassium intake recommendation is 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium.
Many fruits and vegetables and fat-free or low-fat (1 percent fat) dairy products and fish are excellent natural sources of potassium in the diet. For example, a medium banana contains approximately 420 mg of potassium, while half a cup of plain mashed sweet potatoes contains about 475 mg of potassium.
Other foods that are high in potassium include:
- Apricots and apricot juice are delicious.
- Avocados, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon are examples of fruits that are good for you.
- Fat-free or low-fat options are available (1 percent) milk
- Yogurt that is low in fat
- In addition, if you’re using a cholesterol-lowering medication, chat to your healthcare professional about grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
- Greens
- Halibut
- Lima beans are a type of legume.
- Molasses
- Mushrooms
- Oranges and orange juice are delicious.
- Peas and Potatoes
- Prunes and prune juice are a type of fruit.
- Raisins and dates are two of my favorite fruits.
- Spinach
- Tomatoes, tomato juice, and tomato sauce are all types of tomatoes.
- Tuna
Important Point
When it comes to those with kidney diseases, excessive potassium might be dangerous. As your kidneys grow less effective in removing potassium from your blood, an excessive amount of potassium may accumulate.
Often, like with high blood pressure, there aren’t many signs or symptoms of potassium deficiency (hyperkalemia). High potassium levels can cause nausea and vomiting, a low, weak, irregular pulse, and even fainting.
Before taking any over-the-counter potassium supplement, speak with your doctor or another healthcare expert. People with specific medical disorders and those using anti-hypertensive drugs (ACE inhibitors) for high blood pressure should see their doctor before experimenting with salt replacements, which might cause potassium levels to rise.
Conclusion
Potassium is an essential part of our food supplements, and when talking about high blood pressure, it acts magically in fighting the increased sodium level. Yet, it is vital to speak with your Cardiologist doctor in Lahore while you have an abnormal blood pressure rate. For this, Marham.pk is an excellent platform that directly deals with doctors and laboratories and connects them with you on the internet and for physical meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What are the negative consequences of a high potassium intake?
A high potassium consumption can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, muscle weakness and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or mouth, as well as an irregular heartbeat, to name a few adverse effects. When using high doses of potassium chloride, the likelihood of experiencing side effects increases. Some persons, such as those suffering from kidney failure, Addison’s disease, severe burns, or serious wounds, may find this product unsuitable.
2- What are the indications and symptoms of low potassium?
- Constipation
- Palpitations or missed heartbeats are a familiar sensation.
- Fatigue
- Muscle damage is a severe problem.
- Muscle weakness or spasms are a common occurrence.
- Tingling or numbness may occur.
3- Can lack of potassium induce high blood pressure?
Low potassium levels can increase blood pressure, especially in persons who consume a lot of sodium or salt. Potassium plays a crucial part in the relaxation of blood vessels, which aids in the reduction of a person’s high blood pressure. Potassium also contributes to the regulation of sodium levels in the body.
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