Hypertension is considered as the number one contributing risk factor for global deaths. It causes strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular complications. Thus, in order to raise awareness, the month of May is declared as National Hypertension Awareness Month. This year’s theme “#KnowYourNumbers”, aims to enhearten everyone to have their blood pressure checked and measured.

According to the Food Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI), the national prevalence of hypertension among Filipino adults had significantly increased after a decline in 2013 from 22.3% to 23.9% in 2015. In fact, according to the records of the Department of Health (DOH), Hypertension is among the 10 leading causes of mortality in the Philippines. Ideally, the blood pressure of an adult individual should be under 120/80mmHHg but not less than 90/60mmHg. With this, the person should try to maintain within such range as the longer a person lets his blood pressure go high, the more it can cause irreversible damages to the body. DOH also revealed that hypertension remains to be the leading cause of illness and said to be one of the identified precipitating factors of premature death in the Philippines.

If you have high blood pressure, you must be extra cautious with what you eat. Diet can have a big impact on your blood pressure and salty, sugary foods, and foods high in saturated fats can increase blood pressure. Avoid eating processed food because they are packed with sodium. Also avoid fried foods, fatty meats, fast foods, canned soups, and whole dairy products. Thus, NNC continues to remind us to minimize consumption of such foods with its Kumainment # 8: “Hinay-hinay sa maaalat, mamantika at matatamis”.

You can opt to drink skim or low-fat milk because calcium-rich foods can lower blood pressure. It is also important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables such as richly colored green, orange, and red items that are high in potassium and minerals that help lower blood pressure.

Always keep your blood pressure in check and don’t forget to know your cholesterol levels through lipid profile test. Focus on what you eat in order to live a healthier, fat-free, and happier life with your loved ones!

NO I Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot

References:

1. “Celebrate hypertension awareness month this May” from https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/events/6360-celebrate-hypertension-awareness-month-this-may

2. “Hypertension Awareness Month” from https://region9.mgb.gov.ph/index.php/news-features/mgb-news/97-hypertension-awareness-month

3. “Eating with High Blood Pressure: Food and Drinks to Avoid” from https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/foods-to-avoid

4. “Hypertension and Nutrition” from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4249-hypertension-and-nutrition