It is well known that untreated hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the top causes of death in the US. This is why elevated blood pressure is the ‘silent killer’. To compound the problem, untreated hypertension also damages the kidneys and increases the risk of dementia and blindness. To make matters worst, rates of high blood pressure increased since the start of the covid pandemic. Things like smoking, lack of exercise, stress, and, in particular, poor diet contributes to high blood pressure. AHA reports that nearly 50% of adults in the U.S. have hypertension. Improving diet and exercise can help lower blood pressure. A systematic review of clinical outcomes revealed that a 1 mg/dL (60 umol/L) increase in uric acid is associated with an increased risk of hypertension by over 10%. And the effects of uric acid on hypertension is more pronounced in younger populations and in women. A significant relationship between uric acid levels and coronary heart disease or mortality has been described in two large Asian studies looking at tens of thousands of men and women. This research has shown that having a serum uric acid level greater than 7 mg/dL was associated with a 16% increase risk of all-cause mortality, meaning death from any cause, a 39% increase risk for cardiovascular disease, and a 35% increased risk for stroke. Keep elevated uric acid in check. Some simple ways to combat elevated uric acid and hypertension:
- Hydrate throughout the day to detox and lower excessive uric acid
- Avoid high fructose corn syrup loaded foods and beverages and natural remedies to consider
- Try to elminate salt from your diet and mimize alcohol and purine rich foods
- Add nitric oxide-rich foods, such leafy green vegetables, to your diet and consider the DASH Diet