Title

Healthwise for Guys: High Blood Pressure

(FN1872, Reviewed Jan. 2023)
File
Publication File:
Lead Author
Lead Author:
Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist
Other Authors

Emily Busch, Dietetic Intern (former)

Availability
Availability:
Web only
Publication Sections

Table of Contents

Quick Quix

  1. Which of these can increase your risk of high blood pressure?
    a. Being overweight
    b. A family history of high blood pressure
    c. Drinking too much alcohol
    d. All of the above
  2. In which age group of men does the risk of high blood pressure increase?
    a. 40-49
    b. 50-59
    c. 60-69
    d. 70-79
  3. True or false: Hypertension is known as a “silent killer” because most people have no symptoms.

Answers: 1. d; 2. a; 3. True

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood against artery walls as the heart pumps. When you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, the heart and arteries have a much heavier workload. The heart has to pump harder and the arteries are under greater strain as they carry blood. Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts you at a higher risk for stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

How common is high blood pressure?

An estimated one in every two adults has high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. However, through early middle age, about age 45, high blood pressure is more common in men than in women. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms; therefore, many with this condition may not even know they have it.

Risk Factor

Yes

No

I have a family history of high blood pressure.

o

o

I am at or over age 45.

o

o

I smoke regularly.

o

o

I frequently have more than two alcoholic drinks at a time.

o

o

I eat a lot of fried foods or foods high in fat.

o

o

I eat a lot of foods high in salt/sodium.

o

o

Find out if your blood pressure is in a healthy or unhealthy range by being checked by your health-care provider.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of High Blood Pressure

  • Consider the “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” or DASH, diet. This diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy foods, as well as a moderate amount of whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts.
  • Limit alcohol. According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, men should limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day.
  • Limit caffeine intake from coffee and other beverages and foods. Aim for no more than 200 milligrams per day – about the same as two 8-ounce cups of coffee.
  • Reduce sodium. Aim for less than 1,500 milligrams per day.
  • Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes on most days of the week.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.

Recipes

Key to abbreviations:

  • c. = cup
  • Tbsp. = tablespoon
  • tsp. = teaspoon
  • g = gram
  • mg = milligram

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites
Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
Olive oil (or your favorite oil)
2 tsp. garlic powder
⅛ tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1/3 c. hot wing sauce of choice
Other: 1 gallon or larger size plastic bag

Preheat oven to 450 F. Place cauliflower florets in a plastic zip-top bag. Drizzle enough olive oil to barely coat. Add garlic powder and pepper. Close bag and toss ingredients around until all are coated. Place on cookie sheet and bake on middle rack for 15 minutes, turning them once during baking. Check them after 10 minutes for desired tenderness. Remove from oven. Melt butter and add hot sauce. Toss cauliflower and stir to cover all florets with sauce. Start with about half the sauce and add more to your taste. Return to oven and cook for additional five minutes.

Makes four servings. Each serving has 100 calories, 7 g fat, 3 g protein, 9 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber and 510 mg sodium.

Zucchini Rollups

Zucchini Rollups
Zucchini Rollups

24 zucchini strips (about 2 zucchini)
Olive oil, to taste
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 c. fresh chopped spinach
1 c. ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, finely sliced
Pepper to taste
1 c. marinara sauce
½ c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Using a vegetable peeler, peel each zucchini into wide strips. Layer two strips vertically and two strips horizontally to make a cross. Repeat with remaining strips. Over medium heat, sauté garlic and olive oil. Add spinach and sauté until wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, garlic, ricotta, basil and pepper. Using a spoon, scoop 1 tablespoon of the mixture and place in the middle of each zucchini strip cross. Fold each side to seal the ricotta mixture, then flip over the zucchini so the seam side is on the bottom. In a baking dish, pour in the marinara sauce, then smooth with a spatula. Evenly place the zucchini rollups on the sauce, then top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 425 F

Makes four servings. Each serving has 160 calories, 6 g fat, 14 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber and 240 mg sodium.

4-ingredient Chocolate Mousse

4-ingredient Chocolate Mousse
4-ingredient Chocolate Mousse

2 large avocados peeled, pitted and halved
1/3 c. honey 
½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ c. fat-free milk (or almond milk)
⅛ tsp. salt (optional)

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth. Transfer to a sealable container and refrigerate one hour or until ready to serve. Serve with grated dark chocolate and/or whipped cream.

Mousse will keep for up to four days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. You also can freeze the mousse and eat it like ice cream.

Makes 16 servings. Each serving has 70 calories, 4 g fat, 1 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber and 20 mg sodium.

See www.ag.ndsu.edu/healthwiseforguys for more information about men’s health.

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