Hypertension
Article: Primary Prevention of Hypertension

from JAMA 2002;288:1882-1888

www.JAMA.com

Summary:
Prevent High Blood Pressure by:
1. Loose weight
2. Reduce Salt intake
3. Limit Alcohol use
4. Walk 30 min a day
5. Potassium
6. Fruits, Vegetables, low fat everything.

 

 

 

Posted 10/18/02

This article is the latest recommendations from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program, as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on 16 October 2002.  They have expanded on the recommendations from 1993 based on  new information since then.

The following is a listing of their recommendations for what you can do to prevent high blood pressure from developing in you.  They are also all good ideas to help treat high blood pressure.

  • Maintain your ideal body weight or loose weight down to your ideal body weight.
  • Reduce your intake of Sodium Chloride (salt) to no more than 6 grams(6000 milligrams) per day. If you have high blood pressure you may want to cut this down to 2 grams(2000 milligrams).
  • Limit alcohol consumption to no more than 1oz. of ethanol per day in most men, and 1/2 oz. per day in women and low weight men. One ounce of ethanol is equal to 24 ounces of beer, 10 ounces of wine, or 2 ounces of 100 proof whiskey or other hard liquors.
  • Increase your physical activity to 30 minutes of walking daily.
  • Maintain an adequate intake of potassium (over 3500 milligrams per day)
  • Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,  low-fat dairy products, with a reduced amount of saturated and total fat.
  • Possibly helpful interventions (but not as well proven) include: increased calcium supplements (good for bones anyway) and fish oil supplements.

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