High Blood Pressure Called a "Neglected Disease"
| High blood pressure is called a "neglected disease" in a recent report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), which calls for improved emphasis on prevention and control of this too common health problem. The report reveals that: - High blood pressure is responsible for 1 out of every 6 deaths in the United States.
- High blood pressure is the greatest single risk factor for deaths from cardiovascular disease.
- One out of every 3 adults in the U.S. has elevated blood pressure.
- Deaths from high blood pressure have increased in the U.S. by 25 percent in the last 10 years.
The report outlines steps the United States should take to reduce the risk of hypertension and its serious complications. First, the IOM report recommends eating less sodium (salt) and more potassium. More than 8 in 10 Americans (87 percent) eat more salt than is recommended (less than 2,300 mg of sodium daily). Persons age 50 and older, blacks, and those with elevated blood pressure should be eating less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily.
Potassium in the diet is protective against high blood pressure. New recommendations are to eat 4,700 mg of potassium daily. Potassium is high in fresh fruits and vegetables. One strategy recommended is for people to start using sodium/potassium salt (called Lite Salt™ in the markets) in place of regular salt, and then using it moderately (persons with heart failure or kidney failure need to ask their doctor before using Lite Salt). This would help decrease sodium and increase potassium. Experts estimate that about 17 percent of all hypertension could be prevented by everyone getting adequate potassium in their diet.
Other recommendations that would help greatly include:- Lose any excess weight – 2/3 of the population is overweight.
- Get regular moderate physical activity – most Americans fall short here too.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables – 8-10 servings per day are recommended in the DASH Diet prepared by NIH for lowering or preventing high blood pressure.
- Eat more whole grains – aim for at least 3 servings of whole grains daily
- Limit alcohol intake if used at all.
- Get your blood pressure checked regularly – less than 120/80 is recommended for good health. A pressure of 140/90 or higher indicates high blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular disease increases by 2-3 times.
- If your blood pressure is high, follow your doctor's guidance on medications and lifestyle changes.
Source:
Institute of Medicine Report: Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States. April 2010.
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