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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 6, 2014 7:13 PM IST
Do you know that phosphate-rich foods like processed cheese can increase blood pressure leading to heart attack risk? Read on.
According to a significant research, a high phosphate diet can increase blood pressure and promote vascular calcifications - leading to life-threatening cardiovascular disease. The key is the hormone called FGF23 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 23). When large quantities of phosphates are consumed, production of the FGF23 hormone is stimulated which has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. (Read: 10 foods that can boost your heart health quotient (gallery))
The researchers showed that FGF23 controls the reabsorption of filtered sodium in the kidneys. In lab results, mice lacking FGF23 excrete higher amounts of sodium in their urine, resulting in low blood pressure. Animals with high FGF23 levels show high levels of sodium in their blood and, in turn, high blood pressure. (Read: Sleep well, prevent heart disease!)
'In patients with chronic renal disease, both the phosphate levels and the levels of FGF23 are chronically high. This often leads to cardiovascular disease,' said Reinhold Erben, head of the unit of physiology, pathophysiology and biophysics at University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. Phosphate-rich foods include processed cheese, cola, baking powder and most processed foods. Phosphates are widely used in the food industry as preservatives and pH stabilisers. (Read: Which of these 12 risk factors for heart disease do you have?)
The study appeared in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.
What are the symptoms and warning signs of heart disease?
There are more than 60 different forms of heart disease, so the signs may not be the same in all conditions. Here are the most common signs associated with heart disease.
1. Shortness of breath (dyspnoea): Breathlessness or shortness of breath is commonly encountered in patients with heart disease or heart failure. It is also a warning sign of heart attack. Breathing difficulty while exercising or any other physical exertion may indicate a problem with the heart valves. But it can also be due to inflammation and weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) which results in improper contraction.
2. Chest pain: Chest pain (angina) is a classic symptom of heart attack and coronary artery disease (CAD). In some cases, chest pain is associated with inflammation of the tissue covering the heart (pericardium). The type and duration of chest pain is also indicative of the underlying heart disease. Pain may be described as short-term, constant, stabbing or sharp. It can last for a few seconds or for hours together.
3. Swelling of feet: Swelling in the feet and ankles is seen in people with congestive heart failure where the blood pumping capacity of the heart reduces. This affects the kidneys which respond by retaining more fluid in body. The fluid then accumulates in the feet and other parts of the body.
4. Cold sweat: A person who is likely to get a heart attack sooner may start sweating profusely without any physical exertion. Heart failure results in overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system that causes sweating. (Read: 8 common heart disease symptoms and warning signs)
With inputs from IANS
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