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Nutrition and daily life

Leukemia and high blood pressure: cutting salt

Steroids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus and some TKIs can raise blood pressure, which is harder if you already have hypertension. Eating well helps control it. This section covers the main steps.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A monitor and a plate of vegetables.
Figure 1.Pressure and plate — Leukemia and high blood pressure: cutting salt

01Short answer

Cut down on salt: WHO recommends less than 5 grams of salt a day for adults (about a teaspoon). Most salt comes from ready meals, bread, cheese, pickles, sausages and sauces. Add flavour with spices, herbs, garlic and lemon. Choose vegetables, fruit (safely prepared), whole grains and legumes. Avoid alcohol and energy drinks. Measure your blood pressure at home at the same time each day and write it down. Do not stop blood pressure medicines without agreeing it with your team. Severe headache, vision changes or chest pain: get urgent help.

02Simple explanation

Under 5 g of salt.

Flavour with herbs.

Measure at home.

Do not stop medicines.

03Scientific explanation

WHO: reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Potassium

Potassium is good for blood pressure but may be limited with kidney disease; see “Leukemia and kidney disease: fluid, salt and potassium”.

Herbs, garlic and lemon on a board.
Figure 2.Herbs instead of salt.

Salt substitutes

They contain potassium; ask your team.

Packs in shadow, home soup in light.
Figure 3.Ready meals aside — Leukemia and high blood pressure: cutting salt

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
PotassiumPotassium is good for blood pressure but may be limited with kidney disease; see “Leukemia and kidney disease: fluid, salt and potassium”.
Salt substitutesThey contain potassium; ask your team.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Hypertension
Persistently high blood pressure.
Sodium
The main component of salt.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Cut salt.
  • Measure and record.
  • Know the urgent signs.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I drink coffee?

In moderation it is often fine; watch its effect on your pressure.

Will pressure fall after steroids?

Often yes; medicine doses may be changed.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I drink coffee?

  2. Will pressure fall after steroids?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization. Salt reduction fact sheet
  2. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  3. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  5. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  6. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Dietary Fats
  7. NHS. Fat: the facts
  8. World Health Organization (WHO). Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline (2023)
  9. World Health Organization (WHO). Trans fat — fact sheet
  10. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Types of Fat
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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