Perhaps you’ve noticed a lot of hype lately on hypertension. Well, it’s not just hype, it is a growing health concern.
The trend used to be that it was a condition that typically affected those men over 40 and women after menopause, however, this has changed as more and more younger people are being diagnosed with the condition. Now, almost one in five young adults, ages 24-32, have hypertension according to a recent study. Even more frightening is the increase in children with the condition. A recent article by Cardiology Today stated “children who are overweight or obese have nearly a threefold higher prevalence of adiposity on hypertension compared with normal-weight children.” With the growing incidence of hypertension, in all age groups, it’s important to know the facts.
So what is hypertension? Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
What are the causes and risks?
Many factors can affect blood pressure. Your chances of having high blood pressure increase with age. And, you have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure if you are obese, often stressed or anxious, eat too much salt in your diet and/or drink too much alcohol. Hypertension greatly increases your chance of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and even early death.
What can you do to prevent it?
Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, exercising regularly, cutting back on salt and eating a balanced diet are all key to preventing hypertension. There is even a new diet designed for prevention, and treatment, of hypertension.
The DASH diet, created after the results of a large clinical study, sponsored by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to examine the effects of diet on hypertension, were analyzed. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It has been documented to reduce blood pressure in just two months. Key to this diet is low salt intake, high fiber, low in fat, and high in potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Hypertension is a serious but preventable condition. So next time you think it’s just hype, think again.
To Your Health.
thank you for sharing the info with us
Posted by: pooja | 12/09/2011 at 03:29 AM