Question

Discuss the effect of behavior (lifestyle) on blood pressure homeostasis

Answer 1

Effect Of LifeStyles on Blood pressure Homeostasis

Lifestyle factors are critical determinants of blood pressure levels operating against a background of genetic susceptibility. Excess body fat is a predominant cause of hypertension, with additive effects of dietary salt, alcohol, and physical inactivity. There is Blood pressure lowering effects of supplemental potassium, fiber, n-3 fatty acids, and diets rich in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fats. There is an inverse relationship between dietary protein and blood pressure levels. Regular coffee drinking raises blood pressure in hypertensives. The stress & job strain being a possible independent risk factor for hypertension.

Body fat

Excess body fat is the dominant factor predisposing to blood pressure elevation. The effect is apparent from infancy and childhood through to the elderly, with a continuum of effect throughout the entire distribution of body fat. Body fat excess, particularly central obesity is associated with the so-called metabolic syndrome of impairment of insulin sensitivity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia, which compounds with the effects of blood pressure elevation to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Physical activity and fitness

There is an inverse relationship between physical fitness and blood pressure levels independent of all other risk factors for hypertension. Similar relationships are seen between physical fitness or activity and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Randomized controlled trials of the effects of exercise training show that blood pressure falls more consistently in those with established hypertension

Dietary salt

The role of dietary salt in rising in blood pressure with age is now well established. However, there is still some debate over the magnitude of the blood pressure falls with salt restriction. A metaanalysis of 32 randomized controlled trials of reducing salt intake estimated a blood-pressure-lowering effect of around 6 mm Hg systolic in hypertensives and around 2 to 3 mm Hg systolic in normotensives for a 100-mmol reduction in sodium intake.

Potassium

Dietary potassium is inversely related to blood pressure levels in population studies such as Intersalt and low dietary potassium the intake appears to enhance the pressor effect of a high salt intake.

Dietary protein

Total dietary protein intake is associated with lower blood pressures

Fish and fish oils

The blood-pressure-lowering effects of n3 fatty acids of marine origin is found

Alcohol

alcohol ranked close to obesity for its effect on the increase in blood pressure