World Hypertension Day 2023
New research funded by the Heart Foundation will investigate whether poor gut health is a cause of high-blood pressure.
If found to be the case, the research could pave the way for new treatments that will help thousands more Australians lower their blood pressure and avoid a heart attack or stroke.
The study is being led by Dr Matthew Snelson at Monash University who suspects that people with high blood pressure have a so-called 'leaky gut' – where the gut is too permeable and allows bad microbes to pass into the bloodstream, leading to inflammation.
Dr Snelson hypothesises that in patients with resistant hypertension (high blood pressure that does not respond to medication) that their guts are even 'leakier' still.
The research is based on emerging evidence in animal models that show the potential for leaky gut to be a cause of high-blood pressure.
"If we measure leaky gut in people and determine that this is the case for them too, we can look at new gut-targeted treatment options," Dr Snelson said.
"We have six metres of gut and around a tennis court's worth of surface area in the gut. With proper understanding we can then open the door to a new treatment paradigm for hypertension that could help people resistant to medication to lower their blood pressure and avoid a heart attack or stroke."
Advice for now is to eat well and give salt the shake
Today is World Hypertension Day and the Heart Foundation is urging Australians to get their blood pressure measured, eat well, move more – and give salt the shake.
High blood pressure is a health issue that affects both young and old Australians alike, with close to 6 million Australians (34%) aged 18 years and over with high blood pressure.
Alarmingly, it's one of the leading risk factors for death and disability in Australia, as well as across the world.
Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
"One the easiest steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure is choosing healthy foods and reducing your salt intake," said Heart Foundation senior dietitian Jemma O'Hanlon.
"The foods we choose every day are important for our heart health. Research into high blood pressure shows us that the foods we consume can help to lower and manage high blood pressure."
