Summer can be a particularly challenging season for those trying to manage high blood pressure.  Cookouts, picnics and vacations are often grounds for unhealthy food selections.  Despite these temptations, high blood pressure can pose a serious health risk and must be monitored year-round, regardless of the season.

If you have high-blood pressure, you’re not alone.  More than 50 million adult Americans have the condition. High blood pressure, called hypertension, is the world’s leading cause of cardiovascular disease.

“Even the healthiest patients who exercise and eat a well-balanced diet could be at risk for high blood pressure,” said Dr. Claudette Macklin, internal medicine specialist at MetroSouth Health Center at Morgan Park. “Symptoms may not even become apparent for years, which is why we call hypertension the ‘silent killer.’ Many people think that if they don’t put salt on their foods, they can’t have high blood pressure, but so much of the problem stems from salt that is already present in processed foods like soups, canned veggies and bread.”

The DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet is best recommended to monitor or prevent high blood pressure.  The DASH diet focuses on consuming less salt and a variety of nutrient-rich foods that help lower blood pressure. Following the diet can reduce blood pressure by a few points in just two weeks and, over time, can significantly decrease health risks from hypertension, Dr. Macklin said.  It can also protect against osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, according to findings from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Some guidelines of the DASH diet include:

• Buy fresh foods: processed foods are often significantly unhealthier than fresh foods.  Fresh foods provide the most flavor and also have more vitamins, minerals and fibers.
• Make a grocery list: planning out which foods you will purchase ahead of time reduce the likelihood that you’ll buy unhealthy foods on impulse.
• Read nutrition labels: select the product with the lower amount of sodium.
• Keep a supply of DASH-friendly foods: fruits (apples, oranges, bananas, apricots, berries), vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, broccoli and spinach), low-fait dairy products (skim milk; low-fat or fat-free cheese, yogurt and sour cream), whole grains (opt for the low-fat version), nuts (unsalted almonds or walnuts), lean meat, poultry or fish (fish, skinless chicken, turkey, and extra-lean ground beef)
• Replace salt with other condiments: herbs, spices, salsas, garlic and olive oil can add flavor to your food and should be used in place of salt.
• Select your cookware carefully: opt for nonstick cookware because it eliminates the need to use oil or butter when cooking meat or vegetables. A vegetable steamer also enables vegetables to be cooked without butter or oil
• Only drink in moderation: women should not consume more than one alcohol drink per day and men should not consume more than two alcohol drinks.
• Quit smoking

“When a patient is aware and conscious of their high blood pressure, they are in the driver’s seat of their condition,” Dr. Macklin said.  “Making the proper dietary and behavior changes will enable them to take control of their hypertension, rather than the condition controlling them.”

Hypertension that is not managed can have a serious, potentially deadly effect on the human body, causing damage to:

• Arteries
• Heart (causing coronary artery disease or heart failure)
• Brain (causing stoke, dementia or mild cognitive impairment)
• Kidneys
• Eyes (causing blood vessel damage or fluid buildup under the retina)

High blood pressure can also cause difficulty sleeping and bone loss.

“Although some lifestyle choices increase your chance of having high blood pressure, researchers have not been able to pinpoint the cause- or if there is a cause- of hypertension,” said Dr. Macklin.  “For this reason, everyone should be aware of their blood pressure and see a physician annually to prevent the dangerous disease from sneaking up on them.”

If you have not had your blood pressure checked in the last year, it is recommended that you see your primary care physician to detect any risk of hypertension.  If you are currently managing existing hypertension, it is recommended to see your physician regularly to monitor changes in blood pressure levels.

To schedule a physical – and blood pressure check-up – with Dr. Macklin at MetroSouth Health Center at Morgan Park, please call 773-298-9800.   Schedule your physical before December 31, 2011 and receive a free AMC movie ticket or re-usable insulated lunch bag.