Immune System Support Series: Hypertension (Part 1)
By Lydia Wallie, Nutrition Director
As reported in recent research studies, hypertension is one of the most common comorbidities in COVID-19 deaths (1, 2). What is hypertension? It’s defined by the American Heart Association as blood pressure greater than 130/80 (3).
Hypertension is very prevalent. “Nearly half of adults in the United States (108 million, or 45%) have hypertension defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mm Hg or are taking medication for hypertension.” (4)
“Chronic stress has long been known to have harmful effects on the immune system as well as being a risk factor for hypertension.” (5)
What are some strategies that may reduce hypertension and thereby support the immune system?
Step 1: Increase awareness and identify stressors. When you can determine what stresses you out or causes anxiety, you can create a plan to avoid or overcome those stressors. These stressors can come in many forms: toxins via food/products/environment, relational, emotional, work deadlines, financial uncertainty, loneliness, the year 2020, etc. And even with the inevitable stress that everyone encounters whether self-induced or not, there are many opportunities to manage stress well.
What are your stressors and which factors of those stressors are within your control to change?
Awareness is the first step in change. Stay tuned for more strategies!
Source List:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7221157/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7118626/
(4) https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
(5) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120305103203.htm