High Blood Pressure Foods Health Expert Advice

As Seen in The Express

Dr Ross Perry, GP, Medical Director and founder of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, was invited by The Express to provide expert health advice for their feature on foods that can make high blood pressure worse. 

The feature headline ran:

“High blood pressure: List of surprising foods that could increase your reading”

What is high blood pressure?

• The heart pumps blood into the arteries which carry the blood throughout the body.
• Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. This takes into account how much blood is pumping through and the amount of resistance it meets.
• Narrow arteries increase resistance and cause higher blood pressure

Dr Ross Perry explained that foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated or trans fats can increase blood pressure and thereby damage the health of your heart over time. He said:

“Ready meals quite often contain high amounts of salt and sugar so are best avoided or eat occasionally.

“Frozen pizza is a terrible choice for those with high blood pressure because they contain high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats.

“Preserved pickles and vegetables are also full of salt which stops them decaying.

“Tinned soup is another bad culprit, known for its high levels of sodium. Full fat drinks which are laden with sugar are also really bad when it comes to blood pressure as is fried food, whole dairy, fatty meat, crisps and snacks laden with salt and full fat salad dressings which are full of sugar and salt.

“When too much salt is consumed, your body then holds on to water which can attribute to making your blood pressure rise and can put pressure on the heart.

“Drinking alcohol frequently can also make blood pressure rise due to the fact it’s full of sugar and calories which can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

“Swap coffee and caffeine laden drinks for herbal teas and water. drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can lead to high blood pressure.

“It’s best to stick to a whole food diet full of fresh fruit, leafy greens, lean meats, wholegrains and plenty of water.”

Foods high in saturated fats include:

• Cakes, biscuits
• Sausages, bacon, cured meats (e.g. salami, chorizo, pancetta)
• Cheese
• Butter, ghee, suet, lard, coconut oil

Foods high in trans fat include:

• Frozen pizza
• Dough for ‘bake at home’ biscuits and rolls
• Fried foods e.g. chips/French fries, doughnuts, fried chicken
• Baked goods, e.g. cakes, cookies, pies
• Non-dairy coffee creamer
• Hard margarine

Foods high in salt include:

• Smoked, cured, salted or canned meat, fish or poultry
• Bacon, ham, frankfurters, sausages
• Sardines, caviar and anchovies
• Frozen breaded meats and dinners
• Frozen and boxed mixes for potatoes, rice, and pasta
• Tinned ravioli, spam and chili
• Salted nuts, snack foods
• Tinned beans (not reduced salt)

Foods high in sugar include:

• Low fat yogurt
• Ketchup, barbecue (BBQ) sauce
• Fruit juice
• Spaghetti sauce
• Sports drinks
• Chocolate milk
• Granola
• Cereals

Read in full

Find the full article at https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1435171/high-blood-pressure-foods-salt-sugar-saturated-trans-fat-increasing-readings

Dr Ross Perry

Dr Ross Perry is Founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics.

He qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. His career includes NHS skin cancer reconstruction, work as a GP, as well as private cosmetic skin treatments.

He established Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003 and remains in charge as Medical Director. He is best known for dealing with unwanted skin lesions and blemishes (e.g. moles, cysts, warts skin tags) and natural-looking use of non-surgical cosmetic injections.

As a highly experienced medic, he frequently assists with media queries and has appeared in top titles as well as on TV.

DR ROSS PERRY

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers and laser treatments; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.