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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month
Submitted by: Marilyn Gordon, Ed.D., RD, CSSD, LDN
Registered Dietitian, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure can be called the silent killer because for many, they do not know that their blood pressure is high. Uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. The guidelines for a healthy blood pressure reading are now less than 120 mm Hg for the systolic pressure and less than 80 mm Hg for the diastolic. A higher blood pressure suggests the need for intervention. The good news is that lifestyle management can reduce blood pressure in many cases. Lifestyle management includes the diet, physical activity, and the management of stress.
For years, the medical nutrition therapy of high blood pressure was primarily a low sodium diet (less than 2000 mg/d). Through research we have found that not everyone is “salt sensitive” so they may not respond to this therapy. The new dietary intervention is known as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. For some, the elevation in blood pressure is due to the lack of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the diet. The DASH diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, low fat or non-fat dairy, whole grains, and nuts/seeds which also happen to be good sources of numerous vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Keep in mind that body weight, caffeine intake, and alcohol consumption can also effect blood pressure. This month of May, see your healthcare provider, have your blood pressure checked and follow through with lifestyle management changes if needed. The life you save may be your own.
The National Heart Lung Blood Institute has provided a brief on the DASH diet that you can download at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/dash_brief.pdf