High blood pressure: Lifestyle changes to reduce reading
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be damaging the life-supporting organ without your knowledge. If it leads to cirrhosis – scarring of the liver – and then liver failure, you’ll need a liver transplant to survive. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) identified metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for developing NAFLD. “Metabolic syndrome is a group of traits and medical conditions linked to obesity,” it explained.
This includes having the following:
- A large waist
- High levels of triglycerides in the blood
- Low levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood
- High blood pressure
- Higher than normal blood glucose levels
- Type 2 diabetes
Do I fit the profile?
How to measure your waist
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) explained measuring your waist circumference is a “good measure of fat”.
To measure your waist correctly, follow these steps:
- Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips.
- Place a tape measure around your middle at a point halfway between them (just above the belly button).
- Make sure it’s pulled tight, but isn’t digging into your skin.
- Breathe out naturally and take your measurement.
- Take your measurement again, just to be sure.
For men, a large waist is defined as 37 inches or more; for women, a large waist measures 31.5 inches or more.
What are triglycerides?
The charity Heart UK said triglycerides “are a combination of three fatty acids or fats (i.e saturated fat and unsaturated fat) combined with glycerol – a type of glucose”.
Triglycerides are people’s main source of energy – supplied by the liver and the diet.
Experts state people should aim for a non-fasting triglyceride level below 2.3mmol/L.
Triglycerides are measured from a blood sample, usually at the same time cholesterol levels are being monitored.
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Speaking of cholesterol, Heart UK stated there is HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol.
HDL cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol because it helps clear excess cholesterol out of the arteries.
Non-HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, embeds itself in the artery walls, causing them to narrow and harden – raising blood pressure.
Having high blood pressure means your heart muscle is working extra hard to pump blood throughout your body.
The NHS said untreated high blood pressure (i.e hypertension) can increase your risk of stroke and heart attacks.
It’s a life-threatening condition that rarely has any noticeable symptoms.
This is why it’s key to get your blood pressure checked, whether it’s in a pharmacy, at home, or at the doctor’s.
An ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg – anything higher than that is considered risky.
In terms of higher than normal blood sugar levels, this might land you with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
The condition, at this stage, can be deferred by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, said the NHS.
Type 2 diabetes does create noticeable symptoms, such as increased thirst, hunger and urination.
“Research also suggests that certain genes may make you more likely to develop NAFLD,” finalised the NIDDK.
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