By Allison Hydzik
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Lewis Kuller, M.D., Dr.P.H. |
“The prevention and treatment of elevated blood pressure is one of the
major health advances of the last 40 years,” said Dr. Kuller, who is nationally
recognized for his contributions to the study of cardiovascular disease. “But
it is also one of the biggest epidemics we face worldwide. Sixty to 80 percent
of our elderly have hypertension, and it is of rapidly growing concern in
Africa, South America and China. It is also a very solvable problem.”
According to Dr. Kuller, the main non-genetic contributing factors to
high blood pressure are:
- Too much sodium in
the diet, largely caused by our consumption of processed foods. There has been
a national effort involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
among others, to work with packaged food manufacturers to gradually lower the
salt content in processed foods.
- Our growing
waistlines. Cutting obesity rates and losing weight are important in
controlling hypertension.
- Excess alcohol
consumption. Cutting back on alcohol intake is often part of lifestyle changes
recommended to help lower blood pressure.
- Stress. A person’s
blood pressure will typically rise and fall throughout the day, and stress is
known to drive it up. Learning and employing stress management techniques when
possible can help regulate blood pressure.
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Sources of sodium in the diet. (Source: USDA) |
But lifestyle and diet modifications can be difficult, even with the
best intentions, and often aren’t enough. That’s why Dr. Kuller says it is so
important for people to take their blood pressure medication as recommended by
their doctors.
“Nearly 80 percent of people with high blood pressure know it, but only
a third of them have it under control,” said Dr. Kuller. “We now have generic
medications that have low, manageable side-effects, and some insurance
companies even fully cover the costs. Regularly taking your blood pressure
medication is critical to avoiding strokes, congestive heart failure,
cardiovascular disease and myriad other serious and deadly health problems
associated with high blood pressure.”