|
Even
with
the
widespread
use
of
medications
to
lower
blood
pressure,
the
majority
of
Americans
with
hypertension
still
do
not
have
their
condition
under
control,
and
nearly
half
of
those
with
hypertension
are
not
being
treated.
In
addition,
an
even
larger
number
of
Americans
have
blood
pressures
classified
as
"high-normal",
which
places
them
at
above-average
risk
for
developing
cardiovascular
disease.
It
is
especially
important
for
these
individuals
to
work
to
prevent
hypertension
from
developing.
Treatment
to
lower
blood
pressure
may
be
useful,
particularly
to
prevent
stroke,
to
preserve
renal
function,
and
to
prevent
heart
failure
or
slow
its
progression.
Control
of
blood
pressure
can
be
achieved
by
lifestyle
modification,
alone
or
with
prescribed
medications.
The
following
lifestyle
modifications
offer
the
potential
for
preventing
hypertension
and
have
been
shown
to
be
effective
in
lowering
blood
pressure.
- Lose
weight
if
overweight.
- Limit
daily
alcohol
intake
to
no
more
than
1
oz
ethanol
(alcohol)
for
men
and
½
oz
for
women.
- Increase
aerobic
physical
activity
(30
to
45
minutes
most
days
of
the
week).
- Reduce
sodium
intake
to
no
more
than
2,400
mg
per
day
- Maintain
adequate
intake
of
dietary
potassium-3,500
mg
per
day.
- Maintain
adequate
intake
of
dietary
calcium
and
magnesium
for
general
health.
- Reduce
intake
of
saturated
fat
and
dietary
cholesterol.
- Stop
smoking.
Even
if
lifestyle
modifications
alone
do
not
control
blood
pressure,
they
may
reduce
the
number
and
dosage
of
medications
needed
to
manage
it.
Even
if
lifestyle
modifications
alone
do
not
control
blood
pressure,
they
may
reduce
the
number
and
dosage
of
medications
needed
to
manage
it.
Weight
Reduction
Excess
body
weight-body
mass
index
(BMI)
of
27
or
higher-correlates
closely
with
increased
blood
pressure.
Weight
reduction
of
as
little
as
10
pounds
reduces
blood
pressure
in
most
individuals.
Click
here
for
a
free
evaluation
of
your
weight.
Alcohol
Intake
Excessive
alcohol
intake
increases
the
risk
for
hypertension
and
can
cause
resistance
to
medications
that
lower
blood
pressure.
If
you
drink
alcoholic
beverages,
do
so
in
moderation,
defined
as
1
oz
ethanol
(alcohol)
for
men
and
½
oz
for
women
per
day.
Children,
adolescents,
and
pregnant
women
should
not
drink
alcohol.
Also,
alcohol
should
not
be
consumed
at
all
in
pancreatitis,
severe
hypertriglyceridemia,
porphyria,
and
some
other
conditions.
One-half
ounce
of
alcohol
is
equal
to:
- 12
oz
beer
- 5
oz
wine
- 1
oz
100-proof
whiskey
Sodium
According
to
the
National
High
Blood
Pressure
Education
Program,
October
1999,
there
is
a
clear
link
between
habitual
sodium
intake
and
blood
pressure.
The
average
American
consumes
about
4,000
mg
per
day.
Approximately
75%
of
sodium
is
added
to
food
during
its
processing
and
manufacturing.
Only
about
10%
comes
from
the
natural
content
of
food.
A
high
sodium
intake
is
usually
associated
with
diets
that
include
a
high
percentage
of
calories
from
processed
foods.
Diets
that
have
a
higher
proportion
of
fruits,
vegetables,
and
legumes
are
associated
with
lower
blood
pressures.
SLIM
is
the
System
for
Lifestyle
Internet
Management.
It
provides
everything
you
need
to
know
about
a
diet
to
lower
blood
pressure,
and
easy-to-follow
steps
for
making
dietary
changes.
Your
diet
to
lower
blood
pressure
will
be
based
on
the
calorie
level
you
need
to
lose
weight
or
to
maintain
your
current
weight.
It
is
available
to
you
as
a
Living
Heart
Member.
Click
to
learn
about
Benefits
of
Membership,
Membership
Plans,
and
Steps
for
Enrollment.
In
addition
to
a
diet
for
lowering
blood
pressure,
you
may
wish
to
contact
a
dietitian
for
Nutritional
Counseling.
If
you
would
like
to
have
a
diet
to
lower
blood
pressure,
click
here.
|
hypertension
is
to
reduce
risk
for
cardiovascular
disease
and
morbidity
and
mortality
associated
with
it.
