Roughly half the people with untreated hypertension die of heart disease related to poor blood flow (ischemic heart disease) and another third die of stroke. There are no obvious symptoms to indicate that something’s wrong.
There’s a reason why the American Heart Association reminds us that high blood pressure or Hypertension it’s often called the “silent killer”. Nearly one out of every six people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. High blood pressure (hypertension) can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms develop.
Roughly half the people with untreated hypertension die of heart disease related to poor blood flow (ischemic heart disease) and another third die of stroke. There are no obvious symptoms to indicate that something’s wrong. The best ways to protect yourself are being aware of the risks and making changes that matter. High blood pressure develops slowly over time and can damage and weaken your arteries increasing your chances of developing an aneurism.
Hypertension can also lead to
- coronary artery disease
- enlarged heart
- heart failure
- kidney damage
- Mild cognitive impairment and dementia
The exact causes of high blood pressure are often not clear.
Your blood pressure may be strongly influenced by:
- family history
- the type of foods you eat
- How much alcohol you drink
- Your weight
- how much physical activity you do
- Some medicines can also raise blood pressure.
- High blood pressure cannot be cured. However, it can be managed very effectively through lifestyle
changes and, when needed, medication. Regular exercise, healthy diet, healthy body weight are important to maintaining healthy blood pressure. Reducing the amount of sodium and caffeine in your diet as well as quitting smoking also plays an important role in reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Recent studies have indicated that drinking wine can also have a positive effect on maintaining a healthy blood pressure level. This is often referred to as the “French paradox”. The French have a diet that is high in saturated fats but do not seem to suffer from as many high blood pressure related illnesses associated with a diet rich in saturated fats. This has been attributed to the polyphenols found in grapes that have a known positive effect in maintaining healthy blood circulation and blood pressure. However, the sugar and alcohol content of wine come with their own risks.
In recent years ‘super-foods’ have become quite popular. These foods usually come in the form of a powder containing the same polyphenols found in grapes. The powder can be added to any drink or food and consumed regularly, even on a daily basis without the negative effects associated with alcohol and sugar. It is a practical and effective solution for people who are not accustomed to or want to drink wine but strive to live healthy.
One such superfood is VINIA. With over a decade of research to support its claims, one sachet of VINIA® per day contains antioxidants and polyphenols (40 mg), including resveratrol (5 mg) to support heart health and promote healthy blood circulation. This is equivalent to receiving the benefits of drinking one bottle of red wine or eating 1,000 grapes, without the sugar or alcohol.
VINIA helps
- Improve blood circulation
- Keep arteries flexible
- Maintain blood pressure already within normal range
- Fuels antioxidant activity in blood vessels and arteries
