#Hypertension

A new wave of research is shining light on the effects of vitamin D supplements on blood pressure, sparking hope among those tackling hypertension—a condition affecting one in four Thai adults. While vitamin D has long been praised for its benefits to bone health, immunity, and muscle function, questions about its potential to lower blood pressure are now coming to the fore. Recent findings suggest a nuanced reality: vitamin D’s impact on blood pressure largely depends on specific individual health factors, especially vitamin D status and existing blood pressure levels.

A new scientific study has found that individuals with higher levels of fitness tend to experience lower spikes in blood pressure during exercise, offering encouraging news for anyone looking to protect their cardiovascular health. The research, highlighted in recent global media reports, suggests that committing to regular fitness activities may offer an important shield against hypertension—not only at rest, but also during periods when the heart is working hardest.

Fitness and heart health have long been intertwined in public health messaging, but this latest research underlines how exercise-induced blood pressure (BP) responses reveal additional cardiovascular risks. As millions of Thai readers strive to counter the nation’s growing rates of hypertension and heart disease—a top cause of illness and premature death—these findings provide practical and timely guidance for daily life. Elevated blood pressure during physical activity is a well-established predictor of future cardiovascular events, even among people whose resting BP seems normal. The implication: someone’s blood pressure response while exercising may be as meaningful, if not more so, than clinic readings taken at rest.

A major new study has revealed that adults looking to stave off high blood pressure—a key risk factor for heart disease—may need to do twice as much exercise as current global health guidelines suggest. While many Thais may believe the standard recommendation of 150 minutes per week is sufficient, findings published by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine underscore that five hours, or 300 minutes, of moderate activity weekly is the new target for effectively lowering hypertension risk (Earth.com).

Recent research sheds new light on how much exercise is truly necessary to effectively prevent high blood pressure, challenging long-standing official recommendations and offering new insights with important implications for the Thai public. A study tracking over 5,000 adults for three decades has found that individuals who consistently completed about five hours of moderate physical activity each week — double the current guidelines — saw a substantial reduction in their risk of hypertension as they aged, especially if these habits were sustained into their later years (ScienceAlert).

A new landmark study has clarified the minimum physical activity needed to significantly lower the risk of high blood pressure—a health crisis affecting millions globally, including in Thailand. Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine highlights that at least five hours of moderate exercise per week, double the current global health guidelines, is the most effective defense against developing hypertension over a lifetime (Earth.com).

This breakthrough will resonate strongly in Thailand, where hypertension—the so-called ‘silent killer’—is on the rise, affecting approximately one in four adults and being a leading cause of deadly heart attacks and strokes (WHO Thailand). Given the local diet, urban lifestyles, and conventional beliefs about aging, the study’s clear message on physical activity could shift public health strategies, inspire renewed commitment, and save countless lives across the kingdom.

The Japanese walking method, also known as Japanese Interval Walking Training (IWT), has become one of the latest global health trends, captivating both fitness enthusiasts and health experts alike. The method—which alternates three minutes of low-intensity walking with three minutes of higher-intensity walking, repeated for a total of 30 minutes—has shown promise not only as an accessible workout, but also as a scientifically backed approach to improving cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and overall wellbeing. As this movement continues to gain adherents worldwide, recent research underscores its potential, particularly for Thai society grappling with rising rates of non-communicable diseases.

In Thailand, the vibrant crimson brew of ชบาแดง (Hibiscus sabdariffa) herbal tea—known internationally as roselle tea—is both a beloved refreshment and a staple of traditional medicine. But beyond its tart flavor and cultural charm, recent scientific studies confirm that hibiscus tea may offer significant benefits for people grappling with hypertension, while also posing risks for certain groups. Understanding the complex health effects of this popular Thai herbal remedy is crucial for those seeking natural alternatives for managing blood pressure.

As electrolyte powders increasingly make their way into the daily routines of fitness enthusiasts and average Thais alike, the question arises: Can you consume too many electrolytes? A recent analysis published on May 1, 2025, by a registered dietitian and reviewed by medical professionals at NBC’s TODAY suggests that not only is excessive electrolyte intake unnecessary for most people — it can also be dangerous, carrying a risk of serious health complications (today.com).

A recent wave of research has spotlighted a humble fruit rich in potassium as a powerful ally in combating high blood pressure, offering fresh hope to millions of Thais at risk for heart disease and stroke. Health experts say that regular consumption of this fruit, easily found in Thai markets, could play a crucial role in managing hypertension—a major health threat nationwide.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, afflicts roughly one in four Thai adults, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Left untreated, the condition can silently damage arteries and vital organs, elevating the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Addressing dietary factors is increasingly viewed as essential for prevention and control.

As hypertension, or high blood pressure, remains a major risk factor for strokes, heart attacks, and other life-altering conditions, medical experts are urging those living with hypertension to pay closer attention not just to diet and lifestyle, but also to the supplements they might be taking. A new analysis published by nutrition and cardiology professionals highlights five common supplements—bitter orange, licorice root, caffeine-containing products, yohimbine, and ephedra—that could spell danger for individuals struggling to keep their blood pressure under control, a finding especially important to Thailand where herbal remedies are deeply ingrained in the culture (EatingWell).

A major new study published in Nature Medicine has found that intensive lowering of blood pressure can slash the risk of dementia by 15% and cognitive impairment by 16%, offering important implications for Thailand, where hypertension and dementia are rising public health concerns. The research—one of the largest of its kind—focused on nearly 34,000 adults in rural China and represents a significant step forward in our global understanding of how managing hypertension protects both heart and brain over time (source: STAT News).

Lowering high blood pressure, or hypertension, has long been a health priority in Thailand and around the world. Now, new research suggests that you may not need access to a gym or expensive equipment—just a few weeks and five easy movements done at home could make a measurable difference. A recent study, widely covered by reputable health news platforms such as Get Surrey and the British Journal of Sports Medicine, illustrates that certain isometric exercises—static muscle contractions such as wall sits and planks—can effectively and significantly lower blood pressure when practiced regularly over as little as four to five weeks (Get Surrey).

As the excitement builds for the 2025 London Marathon, emerging research is offering even more reasons to lace up those running shoes. Scientists have discovered that not only does marathon training boost fitness, but it can also lower blood pressure and make your arteries function as though they are years younger—a finding with significant implications for heart health in Thailand and beyond (Get Surrey).

This ground-breaking revelation comes from a study conducted by Barts Health NHS Trust and University College London, funded by the British Heart Foundation. Their research focused specifically on novice marathon runners, measuring both their central blood pressure and the stiffness of their main artery—called arterial stiffness—before and after six months of marathon preparation. The results were compelling: participants recorded a reduction of 4mmHg in their systolic blood pressure (the higher number in a blood pressure reading) and a 3mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure (the lower number). Even more notably, they experienced an improvement in arterial elasticity equivalent to turning the clock back on their arteries by four years.

In an eye-opening study published in JAMA Cardiology, researchers have uncovered stark differences in heart disease risk between rural and urban American residents. Contrary to the common belief that life in rural settings, with fewer pollution challenges, might be healthier, the study reveals a different picture. This is of particular interest to Thai readers, as similar patterns might emerge in diverse regions within Thailand, offering insights into potential health risks faced by rural populations.

Long revered in sacred temples and in homes across Asia, the herbal medicine known as โกฐชฎามังสี, or “spikenard,” continues to spark curiosity among both traditional healers and modern scientists. Known scientifically as Nardostachys grandiflora DC. and often referred to by its synonym Nardostachys jatamansi, spikenard stands at the intersection of centuries-old wisdom and contemporary pharmacological research. Buried deep within Thai traditional medicine and world pharmacopoeias, its story is one of healing, ritual, and the ever-evolving quest to understand nature’s remedies in today’s world.