Here is the cold hard truth about high blodd pressure facts:
Nearly half of Americans, ages 20+, roughly 122 million people, suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension. And more than 75% of Americans, age 65 and older, have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a huge risk factor for heart disease and stroke. About 70% of Americans will have hypertension during their lifetime, and only 1 in 4 will have it under control.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is defined as the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is a disease in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries) at a higher than normal pressure.
How Can Diet Help?
One way to control blood pressure is by limiting salt intake. The dietary guideline for Americans is no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. For individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, the recommendation is even lower at 1,500 mg per day.
Reducing salt intake can help lower blood pressure by reducing the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which in turn reduces the pressure on the walls of the arteries. This can help prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.
Other Dietary Recommendations
In addition to reducing salt intake, individuals looking to control their blood pressure should focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Foods high in potassium, such as bananas, sweet potatoes, and spinach, can also help lower blood pressure.
Limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically active are also important factors in controlling high blood pressure. By making these dietary and lifestyle changes, individuals can take control of their health and reduce their risk of complications associated with hypertension.