Bhaktapur, May 17

Unhealthy lifestyle raises blood pressure over time and increases the risk of stroke or heart attack.

According to Cardiac Surgeon Dr Mohan Dev Bhandari, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking causes high blood pressure. “High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, paralysis, kidney failure, damage of eyesight etc.”

When one has high blood pressure, blood is pumped through the articles and ventricles forcefully, which can weaken blood pipe and also damage the heart. If the pipe cannot pump blood to different parts of the body, then it causes brain damage, paralysis etc.

“However, if one has a blood pressure, healthy changes will help bring it down. And the more you reduce your blood pressure, the lower the risk of heart attack,” he said.

Eating more fruit and vegetables helps lower blood pressure. Adults should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. A portion is 80 grams, or roughly the size of one’s fist. One should eat a range of different fruits and vegetables but watch out for added salt, sugar or fat.