Why Cutting Salt Doesn’t Fix High Blood Pressure (Doctor Explains)

High blood pressure isn’t just a salt problem — and decades of advice may have missed the real cause. In this video, I explain why sugar, insulin resistance, and ultra-processed food are often the hidden drivers of hypertension, even in people who’ve already cut salt and eat “healthily”. I’m Dr Alex, an Emergency Medicine doctor, and after nearly a decade on the frontline treating strokes, heart attacks, and hypertensive crises, I’ve seen a clear pattern emerge. Many people follow the standard advice — reduce sodium, eat low-fat, exercise more — yet their blood pressure stays stubbornly high. This video explains why that happens, using physiology, real patient experience, and decades of metabolic research. We break down: -How salt actually affects blood pressure through fluid mechanics and plasma volume -Why insulin is a sodium-retaining hormone that can keep blood pressure high even on a low-salt diet -How sugar and refined carbohydrates “lock” the kidneys into sodium retention mode -Why insulin resistance damages blood vessels, reduces nitric oxide, and raises vascular resistance -How ultra-processed foods combine salt + sugar to break blood pressure regulation at multiple levels -And what actually lowers blood pressure long-term, not just temporarily on a monitor This is about more than a number. Chronically elevated blood pressure accelerates heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, cognitive decline, and early mortality. Understanding the real drivers gives you leverage — not just for better readings, but for long-term health and longevity. #dralex #doctoralex #bloodpressure #hypertension #longevity