Know How Your Skin Helps To Control BP & Heart Rate

Having a steady blood pressure (BP) and a stable heart rate is very important for the normal body functioning. Any fluctuation in the blood pressure and heart rate can have a serious implications on your health. In extreme condition, this can turn fatal as well.

Following a healthy lifestyle is the single most factor that helps to keep your blood pressure and heart rate under control. However, one surprising study has revealed that the skin plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and heart rate.

According to the research that was conducted on mice, it was found that the skin helps regulate hypertension and heart rate in response to changes in the amount of oxygen available in the environment.

High blood pressure is caused when there is a reduced flow of blood through small blood vessels in the skin and other parts of the body to the heart. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

For the study, the team exposed genetically modified mice to such low-oxygen conditions. During the course of the study it was found that the mice which lacked in one of two proteins in the skin (HIF-1a or HIF-2a), showed an effect on the heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and general levels of activity.

"These findings suggest that our skin's response to low levels of oxygen may have substantial effects on how the heart pumps blood around the body," said Andrew Cowburn, senior research associate at the varsity.

The study was recently published in the journal eLife.

Meanwhile, check out the foods that help in controlling the blood pressure. Take a look.

1. Banana:

Rich in potassium and low in sodium, banana is one of the best fruits that help to lower the blood pressure. You can consume banana in the form of fruit, add it to your cereals or you can consume it in the form of cereals as well.

2. Beetroot:

Beetroot is rich in nitrates. It helps to relax the blood vessels, improve the blood flow and thus help in maintaining the blood pressure. Drinking a glass of beet juice on a regular basis helps in lowering the blood pressure.

3. Spinach:

Spinach is rich in fiber, low in calories and it contains a host of nutrients like potassium, folate and magnesium that helps in maintaining the blood pressure levels.

4. Sunflower Seeds:

Sunflower seeds are rich in fibre, vitamin E, folic acid and protein.They are also a good source of magnesium and having a handful of sunflower seeds on a regular basis helps in lowering the blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy.

5. Carrots:

Carrots are high in potassium and beta-carotene which have been found effective in reducing the high blood pressure. Carrots can be consumed raw in the form of salad, in cooked form or even in the form of juice.

Drinking carrot juice helps in regulating the heart and kidney functions and thus help in maintaining the blood pressure.