Millions of people worldwide are either overweight or obese. It seems as though many people in modern societies are living a life that leads to high blood pressure or hypertension. However, as people age, the situation gets worse. Nearly half of all old aged people have hypertension. This disease makes people more prone to strokes, three times more likely to have a heart attack, and two to three times more likely to experience a heart failure.
Studies indicate that it is because of the types of foods that are consumed; such as foods that are high in fat, especially saturated fats can cause hypertension. In addition to that, using a lot of salt has also been linked to high blood pressure. Yet, lack of exercise and obesity are also among the causes of hypertension.
Other causes include high caffeine intake, such as coffee and soda, lack of exercise, smoking, and high cholesterol levels. Therefore, people who are diagnosed with hypertension are more likely to suffer from heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and kidney related problems.
Where there is cause for concern, it is not necessary to panic or stress over the diagnosis. There are ways to treat hypertension and still lead a normal life. There are many different types of medications called Anti-hypertensives on the market today that can treat hypertension by lowering blood pressure to an acceptable level. Usually doctors are aware on what level is right for you.
Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication. However, maintaining a proper blood pressure is critical because it affects the critical parts of your body. Heart, kidneys, the adrenal glands and brain function are all affected by blood pressure.
Hypertension can affect every aspect of your life. If you do not treat it, it can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, results. It is crucial to your health to make the necessary changes to lower your blood pressure. This will insure a long and happy life.
Dr. Abdul Hameed m. Hassan, MD
Consultant, Family Medicine
Chairman, Family Medicine Center
International Medical Center, Jeddah
Getting your hypertension under control
Getting your hypertension under control
Where We Are Going Today: Ana Starter Sourdough Factory in Dammam
Since returning to live in the Kingdom after years abroad with the best bakeries at my fingertips, I have been on a mission to find suitable sourdough locally. I sampled many mediocre ones, but one would rise above the rest: Ana Starter Sourdough Factory.
I first met founder Aisha Al-Omair at the Juthoor Farmer’s Market and tried her bread then. I liked it immediately.
“Ana Starter Sourdough Factory started as a passion for creating and fermenting the healthiest bread and introducing it to the Saudi market,” she told me at the time.
It began as a personal mission then expanded — like the dough — to serve the community.
“For a long time, I’ve suffered feeding my kids proper bread. The breads that were available at the supermarkets or at local bakeries had instant yeast, that never really took time to ferment, and therefore, when you consume the average bread, you notice some stiffening, you notice indigestion, you notice bloating and heartburn.”
Indeed, I did not feel any bloating or heartburn after devouring a slice or a few so I recently went on a quest to find more.
I ventured to Dammam to find her factory shop. It is a tiny slither of a place — I almost missed it while driving past factories in the Industrial City.
The shop comes with a decadent whiff of delicious bread.
Upon entering, you will see fridges stocked with bread and goodies like jams and butters (from other brands) that complement the bread well.
The sourdough offerings include jalapeno cheddar, zataar, plain and about a dozen other flavors.
The hassawi sourdough, made with local dates from neighboring Al-Ahsa, quickly became my favorite. It has little bits of dates tucked inside like tiny treasures.
Each slice is separated with a sheet, making it easy to freeze and pull out what you need without slices sticking together.
Fluffy with a rustic crust, it is great for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or slathering with salted butter.
My freezer is now packed with loaves.
At around SR45 ($12) per loaf, the price is slightly steep for the local market, but the superior quality is worth the extra dough.
Each day, they post on Instagram Stories showing what is available for pickup — and the quantity of each item.
Ordering is easy: Send a DM to reserve a loaf, swing by the shop, or opt for delivery.
• For more details, check their Instagram @anaastarter.
