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Stress, Blood and NutritionPressure Studies looking at the effect of work stress on blood pressure have had mixed results. It is well established that work stress can lead to ill health, including heart attacks and depression, but hypertension is a major risk factor for a number of serious medical illnesses, including stroke and heart attacks. It is thought that if a person has hypertension, reducing blood pressure by 5mmHg can reduce their risk of having a heart attack by about 20%. However there are a number of other things that can contribute to high blood pressure, such as a poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, eating too much salt and not doing enough exercise. Dr Chantal Guimont and colleagues who carried out the latest study acknowledge that other factors may have contributed to the high blood pressure found in the white-collar workers that they studied. However, they believe job stress is important and may chronically activate the nervous and cardiovascular system. Dr Guimont said: (Our study supports the hypothesis that job strain, particularly in workers with low social support at work, may contribute to increased blood pressure). Although reducing the amount of stress experienced during the day is vital for the maintenance of a healthy blood pressure, there are a number of nutritional methods that can be used. Ensuring at least two portions of oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna) are eaten every week will help by keeping blood fats healthy and therefore help to reduce the risk factors associated with hypertension. Supplements can also be useful for this purpose and any capsule containing EPA and DHA will be particularly effective. Research has also suggested that Aged Garlic Extract also has the ability to lower blood pressure and a high dose supplement may be chosen during periods of stress. |