High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the first signs of heart disease. Left untreated, hypertension can damage your arteries and lead to serious complications like heart attack. If your blood pressure remains high over a sustained period of time, your doctor might prescribe medication to lower it. But even if you’re taking blood pressure medication, you should work on reducing hypertension by avoiding specific types of foods. These are the foods to avoid with high blood pressure to keep your heart healthy and lower your risk of heart attack or stroke, according to topshare.com.
1. Grapefruit
Grapefruit might seem like a tangy treat, but if you’re taking antihypertensive drugs, it’s a no-go. This sour fruit can lower your blood pressure too quickly, which could lead to hypotension shock—a situation you definitely don’t want to find yourself in!
2. Pear
Pears are great for cooling down and reducing cough. However, for those with high blood pressure, especially those on medication, they can be problematic. Too much pear can interfere with maintaining normal blood pressure levels. So, maybe save that pear for someone else in the family.
3. Grapes
Grapes are delicious and have diuretic and tonic effects. But here’s the catch: they are high in sugar. For people with high blood pressure, especially if you also have high blood sugar, grapes can cause all sorts of issues. Moderation is key here!
4. Durian
Ah, the infamous durian. Love it or hate it, if you have high blood pressure, you should probably hate it. Packed with calories and fat, durian can cause blood pressure spikes and make you feel uncomfortable. A hard pass for hypertensive patients.
5. Apple
Apples are often touted as a cure-all, but they come with their own set of problems if you have high blood pressure. Rich in sugar and potassium salt, apples can cause issues for those managing conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and, you guessed it, high blood pressure.
6. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are generally good for you—they help with digestion and can even lower blood pressure. However, consume them in excess, and the rich carotene can cause hyper carotene, resulting in symptoms like loss of appetite, fatigue, and vomiting. Hypertension patients, beware!