Salt Increases High Blood Pressure – A new study has shown that too much salt in your diet greatly increases the risk of developing high blood pressure as you age.

Salt increases high blood pressure

A new RAND Corporation study finds that a one-third reduction in salt consumption could save $18 billion a year in direct medical costs by reducing hypertension or high blood pressure and heart disease.

Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, a hypertension expert at Boston University Medical Cente says Americans are too sedentary and fat. They eat too much, especially salt, but too few potassium-rich fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Chobanian, whose New England Journal report was titled “The Hypertension Paradox: More Uncontrolled Disease Despite Improved Therapy,” noted that “in the majority of patients, two or more antihypertensive drugs are required to achieve target blood-pressure levels.”

In an interview, he emphasized the detrimental role played by diets high in salt and calories and low in protective fruits and vegetables — a result of portions that are too large, and of too many fast and processed foods that rely on salt to enhance flavor.

“Generally, the average person in our society consumes more than 10 grams of salt a day,” Dr. Chobanian said, “but the Institute of Medicine recommends a third of this amount as optimal.”

Dr. Chobanian called for better food labeling; changes in foods served in cafeterias, restaurants and schools; and less advertising on children’s television of unhealthy foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

Also needed are better opportunities for all people to get regular exercise.

“We have to focus more on children,” he said. “They’re the ones who will be getting cardiovascular diseases in the future.”

And that’s the latest news on Salt Increases High Blood Pressure.

Tags: health, heart attacks, high blood pressure, salt increases high blood pressure, weight loss

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