Hypertension and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)

This resource can be used by adolescents or parents/caregivers of adolescents/children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). It provides you with information on how to manage hypertension in children/adolescents who are survivors of ALL.
This fact sheet is to be used in conjunction with the WCH resource “Reducing salt”.

Hypertension is a term used to describe high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against artery walls as it circulates through your body.

If you imagine it as air in a tyre, blood fills the arteries to a specific capacity. If there is too much air in the tyre, it can cause damage to the tyre. Therefore, a high blood pressure can also cause damage to your arteries and this can lead to complications such as heart or kidney disease.

So how do we reduce blood pressure with food?

-  Use products that are low or reduced salt:

Ø  Low salt = ≤120mg/100g

Ø  Reduced salt=≤400mg/110g products

-  Use fresh poultry, fish and lean meats rather than canned or smoked type protein foods

-  Limit processed meats such as ham, bacon

-  Cook pasta and rice without salt

-  Rinse canned foods such as tuna and beans to remove some sodium (salt)

-  Use spices and herbs such as pepper, garlic, lemon, and limes instead of using salt

-  Aim for high potassium fruit and vegetables (only if you have normal renal function)

Ø  Potassium is a mineral that can help reduce high blood pressure

Ø  High potassium vegetables include potato, sweet potato, spinach, zucchini, and tomatoes

Ø  High potassium fruits include; banana, stone fruit, orange, rockmelon and apples

Other healthy tips

-  Increase fruit intake, (e.g. swap cookies for a piece of fruit)

-  Increase vegetable intake, e.g. add more vegetables to your meals i.e. add 1 cup of cooked veggies in a spaghetti bolognaise

-  Use low fat dairy products

-  Aim to include good fats such as olive oil, canola oil, walnuts, and avocados

See “Reducing Salt” WCH resource for more ways in lowering the amount of salt you are eating.