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The weather is clear, and the park is particularly vivid in the sun. Zhao Tianyou and his family walked leisurely in the shade of the trees, and a group of energetic elderly people were exercising on the fitness equipment in front of them, which made people sigh at the beauty of the years.
Zhao Tianyou suddenly said: "Seeing them live so wonderfully, health is so important." ”
Zhao Tianyou, 53, is an experienced architect.
During a check-up last year, the doctor told him that the number of high blood pressure was worrying. So, he made up his mind and decided to make a big change in his diet - to quit salt completely.
Nine months have passed, has his blood pressure dropped?
From a medical point of view, excessive salt intake is indeed a major cause of high blood pressure. Sodium in the body causes water retention, increases blood volume, and thus raises blood pressure.
Therefore, reducing salt intake is often seen as one of the effective ways to control high blood pressure.
After Zhao Tianyou strictly controlled his salt intake, his blood pressure gradually dropped from 160/100 mmHg to 140/90 mmHg through regular monitoring, which is not a shocking change but a big win for him.
However, Zhao's experience does not mean that every hypertensive patient can achieve ideal blood pressure control by completely abstaining from salt.
Hypertension is a multifactorial disease that is affected by a variety of factors such as genetics, weight, and exercise habits in addition to salt intake.
In some patients, dietary modifications alone may not be effective in controlling blood pressure due to genetic factors or other complications.
For older people who cannot control their blood pressure by salt reduction alone, doctors often recommend a more comprehensive management regimen that includes moderate exercise, weight control, overall dietary adjustments, and antihypertensive medications if necessary.
Especially in some elderly people with renal insufficiency, low sodium intake may cause other health problems.
In Zhao's case, he worked closely with his family doctor to make comprehensive adjustments to his diet and lifestyle.
In addition to reducing salt intake, he increased the ratio of vegetables and fruits, improving overall nutrient intake.
At the same time, he began to engage in regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking and swimming, which contributed to a further reduction in blood pressure.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that although salt reduction is effective for Zhao Tianyou, not all patients with high blood pressure can get the same benefits from it.
Studies have shown that about 15% to 20% of hypertensive patients are insensitive to salt intake, and even if salt intake is drastically reduced, there will be no significant change in blood pressure.
Therefore, it is important for patients with hypertension to develop a reasonable treatment and diet plan according to their specific situation under the guidance of a professional doctor.
Salt abstinence that is too absolute may not only not help the condition, but may lead to other health problems due to a lack of essential electrolytes.
Zhao Tianyou's story enlightens us that chronic diseases such as hypertension should be managed in a scientific and reasonable way.
Simple dietary adjustments are good, but more often than not, they require an all-encompassing lifestyle adjustment.
In addition, regular check-ups and doctor's consultations are equally important to help us better understand our health and adjust our treatment plan in a timely manner.
Ultimately, we have to ask, if a hypertensive patient has completely quit salt and has not seen a significant improvement in blood pressure, how should they adjust their treatment strategy?
In the face of such a situation, it is first necessary to re-evaluate the actual situation of the individual's salt sensitivity.
A patient's sensitivity to salt can be more accurately judged by more detailed examination and monitoring, such as a 24-hour urine sodium excretion test.
If the patient is found to be insensitive to salt intake, then it may be necessary to consider adjusting the drug regimen and increasing or changing the type and dose of antihypertensive drugs.
At the same time, interventions for other lifestyle factors, such as increased physical activity, alcohol control, and smoking cessation, should be added.
In addition, professional nutrition counseling is also crucial to help patients develop a more personalized and scientific diet plan to ensure a balanced nutrition rather than simply reducing salt.
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