By Hillary Asemota
A Lagos based Medical Practitioner, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, has advised Nigerians especially those predisposed to High Blood Pressure (HBP) to stay away from canned, fatty or oily foods even as he said that such food is detrimental to their health.
According to the CEO and Medical Director of Twinex Medical Centre told newsmen that these classes of food are unhealthy and detrimental to health as it can spark high blood pressure.
He admonished Nigerians to live in a fresh air environment while avoiding smoke
environments.
He said high blood pressure is that pressure at which blood pushes against ones’ vessels as blood passes through the body, adding that a normal blood pressure allows blood to flow and deliver oxygen and food to different parts of the body.
Olowojebutu, said: “We measure blood pressure with two numbers (124/84 mmHg). The first number is called the systolic blood pressure and the second is called the diastolic blood pressure.
“Systolic blood pressure is the highest blood pressure measurement and it is recorded when the heart contracts.
“Diastolic blood pressure is the lowest blood pressure measurement and it is recorded when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.
“The ideal blood pressure is 120/70mmHg; any figure between this and 140/90 is pre-hypertension and a call to action and lifestyle modifications, ’’ Olowojebutu said.
He urged people with high blood pressure to reduce the risks associated with High BP through modification of their lifestyle.”
He advised people with high BP to get involved in active physical exercises for 30 to 60 minutes daily by walking, biking, swimming, dancing or any other physical activity.
He recommends the daily consumption of lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products and other foods low in fat and salt.
He advised that it is important to stop smoking if one has high blood pressure, adding that
smoking increases the risk of developing heart problems and other related or future complicated diseases.”