Reducing Sodium in a Salty World

There’s been a lot of talk lately about limiting salt intake to improve your health, but the conversation is not new

Photo Credit: American Heart Association

Experts have known since the first studies were published in the 1940s that significantly reducing sodium in the diet could lower blood pressure. The dangers of excessive salt have been known for so long that thousands of years ago Chinese noblemen would use large amounts to commit suicide.

Today, sodium excess remains a deadly threat. The average American consumes about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, more than double the 1,500 milligrams recommended by the American Heart Association.

Too much sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure and other major health problems. More than 76.4 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure — one-third of the population. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because its symptoms are not always obvious.


Continue Reading at American Heart Association site

Does Potassium Lower Blood Pressure or Not?

It’s not groundbreaking news that high blood pressure and diet are related. 

Even when you go the medical doctor route, one of the first things your doctor will suggest is lowering your salt intake to help control your blood pressure.

But what else can help? Does potassium lower blood pressure? Often, one important nutritional catalyst is overlooked; and yes, it is indeed potassium.

Potassium has several functions in the body, aiding with the proper workings of the heart, kidneys, nerves, muscles and the digestive system. A lack of potassium can manifest itself in many ways, including high blood pressure.

Read more at Natural Society - Does Potassium Lower Blood Pressure or Not?

African-Americans Get Higher Blood Pressure Sooner

African-Americans who have slightly elevated blood pressure and don't do anything to change their lifestyle are more likely to have high blood pressure one year earlier than whites with pre-hypertension, according to a study published Monday.

Blood pressure numbers between 120-139 systolic (upper number) or 80-89 diastolic (lower number) are considered pre-hypertension. High blood pressure is defined as 140/90 mm Hg and greater.

Previous studies have shown that blacks have higher rates of high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), heart disease and stroke compared to whites. This new study says African-Americans with pre-hypertension are more likely to progress to having high blood pressure compared to whites in the same situation, suggesting the need for earlier interventions among black patients to potentially eliminate the disparities between races for hypertension.

African-Americans get higher blood pressure sooner – The Chart - CNN.com Blogs:

Minority Organ Donations Insufficient to Meet Transplant Need

Minorities only account for only 25% of all organ donors, which reduces the likelihood of a match 

Minorities make up about half of all people on transplant waiting lists, according to National Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program, a Washington-based education and advocacy group.

"In minority communities, there is a high risk of diabetes, hypertension and certain genetic disorders that often cause people to need transplants. But there is strong resistance to being an organ donor -  for a number of reasons," said Lisa Upsher, program director of the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, or CORE, which will sponsor a conference on Sept. 15 about minority transplants.

Read more: Minority organ donations insufficient to meet transplant need - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Lack Of Sleep Can Cause High Blood Pressure

A lack of deep sleep may be one of the reasons why people develop high blood pressure.

A study of older men published Monday found that those who got the least amount of deep sleep were 80% more likely to develop high blood pressure, compared to those who got longer, less interrupted sleep.

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