Blood pressure has been traditionally measured in medicine because it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure is thought to lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease because the condition signifies an underlying metabolic or physiological abnormality. Blood pressure is generally a reliable measure of cardiovascular risk factor, but only if a representative measurement is taken. There are a number of genetic factors that are known to influence blood pressure including age, race and sex. In addition a number of environmental variables can also influence blood pressure readings including circadian rhythms, emotion, exercise, tobacco, alcohol, nicotine, bladder distension, medication and pain. Food can also influence postprandial blood pressure readings. For example, research has investigated the effects of water or a light meal (1300 kJ) on the brachial blood pressure of healthy individuals.
The results showed that following baseline measurements, consumption of water did not change blood pressure readings significantly. Consumption of food with water caused a significant increase in brachial and central systolic and diastolic blood pressure 3 min after food consumption, but then the readings dropped below baseline. Mean brachial blood pressure, and central systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower than baseline at 30-60, 30-105 and 30-60 min, respectively. Overall the changes in blood pressure lead to reductions in mean arterial pressure. In addition, heart rate was significantly higher than baseline from 30 to 90 min following consumption of food. Blood pressure is therefore affected during the postprandial state, and readings for blood pressure should be taken following 2 to 3 hours of fasting to avoid variability in measurements. These results support previous findings that have recorded larger variability with greater food intakes.
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