Dietary habits of adults suffering from hypertension

Abstract

Background

High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions. A balanced diet not only manages blood pressure but also prevents complications, offering people a natural, sustainable way to protect their health. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. The study was done dietary habits of adults suffering from hypertension in Srinagar city. In this study it was found that most people with hypertension were between 41 and 50 years old, and a large number of them were women. A majority of them maintained a healthy weight, had normal blood pressure, and experienced systolic hypertension. Headaches were a common symptom. A majority didn't restrict their sodium intake and consumed items like namkeen tea and occasionally indulged in bakery products. They often used lemon to enhance the taste of their food and consumed potassium-rich foods like cucumbers. Regardless of gender, most respondents believed that lifestyle changes could help manage hypertension effectively. Respondents typically had 2-3 meals a day and leaned towards a non-vegetarian diet, often used refined oil for cooking. Surprisingly, most of them did not restrict their sodium intake, which is a crucial consideration for individuals with hypertension. Interestingly, a significant portion of the respondents never consumed salt-based foods like bottled salad dressings or mayonnaise-based products. However, they did sometimes indulge in bakery items, which can contribute to hypertension if consumed excessively due to their high salt and fat content.  Moreover, the respondents were conscious of their dietary choices as many included potassium rich foods in their meals, with cucumber being a popular choice. This is a positive step, as potassium can help counteract the effects of sodium on blood pressure.

Methods

The study was done on adults suffering from hypertension. A total of 100 adults were taken for data collection. Respondent’s willingness to participate in the study. Confidentiality was maintained and an informed consent was also taken from the respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used in the study. Data was analysed and presented in the form of tables.

Conclusion

The study highlighted a range of lifestyle and dietary patterns among individuals with hypertension. It revealed some noteworthy patterns in the respondents' efforts to manage their hypertension. While many of them were committed to visiting doctors and dieticians, it was observed that a substantial portion of the respondents did not adhere to sodium-restricted diets. This highlights the importance of education and awareness about the risks associated with high sodium consumption, as it is a crucial factor in hypertension management. It's also notable that a significant number of respondents opted for non-vegetarian diets and used refined oil for cooking. This preference may indicate the need for dietary guidance tailored to their choices, focusing on healthier cooking methods and protein sources. The study showed that despite occasional indulgence in bakery products, respondents often used lemon as a taste enhancer in their meals. This preference for a natural flavour enhancer could be harnessed in dietary recommendations to promote healthier food choices. In terms of lifestyle, the respondents were fairly active, spending a substantial amount of time on domestic and official work. While this can be beneficial for overall well-being, it's essential for them to manage stress effectively, as a majority of them attributed their hypertension to stress. Stress management strategies and mental health support could be valuable additions to their hypertension management plans. For all adults, lifestyle changes, including maintaining or achieving a healthy weight, following a heart-healthy eating pattern (such as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), reducing sodium intake, increasing dietary potassium intake, adopting a moderate physical activity program, managing stress, and reducing or eliminating alcohol intake are strongly recommended to prevent or treat elevated blood pressure and hypertension.