High Blood Pressure Linked to Meat Consumption

What could a doctor predict about a patient who eats lots of meat?

A doctor predict about a patient who eats lots of meat is "Carnitine accumulation may explain the patient's high blood pressure."

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure of 120 to 129 with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 that would be considered elevated. When the first number becomes 130 or the second number is 80 or higher, high blood pressure would be considered to exist.

What is a doctor?

A doctor, also known as a doctor, medical practitioner, or simply a doctor, is a person who works in the medical field. Medicine is the study, diagnosis, and management of diseases, injury, and other physical and mental impairments with the goal of promoting, maintaining, and restoring health.

The team led by Dr. Stanley L. Hazen and Robert A. Koeth of the Cleveland Clinic discovered a link between heart disease and carnitine, a compound abundant in red meat. When a patient eats lots of meat, the accumulation of carnitine from red meat digestion may explain the patient's high blood pressure. This is due to the reduction in the flexibility of blood vessels caused by carnitine accumulation.

Red Meats and High Blood Pressure

Red meats have drawbacks related to their high fat, cholesterol, and sodium content. These risk factors contribute to the development of heart disease, including heart attacks and clogged arteries. The high salt content in red meats can also lead to an increase in blood pressure, ultimately causing high blood pressure.