More than eight out of 10 people with high blood pressure and/or taking medication would be interested in buying functional foods that claim to lower blood pressure, and almost three out of 10 people on heart medication say they would consider this option, according to research commissioned by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF), published yesterday.
Functional foods are defined as foods that may provide a health benefit beyond traditional nutrients. There is robust scientific data to support claims that porridge oats, some drinks, yoghurts, milk, butter and spreads contain sterols that reduce cholesterol.
However, similar promises that foodstuffs can reduce blood pressure are not proven, according to Dr Patricia Campbell, specialist registrar in cardiology at St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, who has completed a scientific literature search. "The trials are on too small a scale to stand over any beneficial results," she said.
She said she understood the attraction of fortified foods to people on blood pressure medication. "People want autonomy in their own health and are attracted to natural products. But we would be concerned that patients would discontinue their medication and replace them with these foods.
"There is very little evidence to suggest they do lower blood pressure and we would advocate their use only in addition to medication and lifestyle changes."
IHF dietician Janis Morrissey agreed. "These foods are not a replacement for continuing to take prescribed medication, or a substitute for following healthy eating advice to choose five servings of fruit and vegetables and eat less salt. They can be expensive and should not be bought at the expense of fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals, which have a proven beneficial effect on health in general, and blood pressure in particular," she said.
"Functional foods are not a magic bullet or universal panacea for poor health behaviours."
Some patients stop taking their blood pressure medication without informing their GP and without realising the negative consequences, said Dr Alice Stanton, chairwoman of IHF's council on blood pressure.
The reasons include expense, forgetfulness, poor organisation and misunderstandings. Some think that when the prescription runs out they are cured, she said.
An international survey of 1,200 GPs found that the more patients know about their medication, understand why they are taking it, and how it works, the more likely they are to keep taking the tablets.
More than half of those surveyed did not know what normal blood pressure (120/80) should be. "High blood pressure does silent damage. It rarely causes any signs and symptoms until the damage starts to affect your health," said Dr Stanton.
Blood pressure should be checked at least every five years, and the best place is in the GP surgery, said Dr Stanton said.
This week is Irish Heart Week 2006 and its slogan is: "Love your heart, know your blood pressure".
For more information log on to www.irishheart.ie