Consumption of 'good salt' can reduce population blood pressure levels, research finds

ScienceDaily (Sep. 15, 2010) — An increased intake of 'good' potassium salts could contribute significantly to improving blood pressure at the population level, according to new research. The favourable effect brought about by potassium is even estimated to be comparable with the blood pressure reduction achievable by halving the intake of 'bad' sodium salts (mostly from table salt).

Those are the conclusions drawn by Linda van Mierlo and her colleagues at Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, and Unilever in their investigation of the consumption of potassium in 21 countries. An article describing their findings appears in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases rises as blood pressure increases. In Western countries only 20-30% of the population has 'optimal' blood pressure, with the systolic (maximum) pressure being lower than 120 mm Hg and the diastolic (minimum) pressure lower than 80 mm Hg. Blood pressure increases with age in most people. Men more often have a higher blood pressure than women.

Diet and lifestyle plays an important role in managing blood pressure. High intakes of sodium and low intakes of potassium have unfavorable effects on blood pressure. Therefore, reducing the consumption of sodium and increasing the consumption of potassium are both good ways to improve blood pressure.

The study carried out by food researchers from the Human Nutrition department at Wageningen University and from the Nutrition & Health department at Unilever demonstrates that the average potassium intake in 21 countries including the US, China, New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands varies between 1.7 and 3.7 g a day. This is considerably lower than the 4.7 g a day, which has been recommended based on the positive health effects observed at this level of intake.

A hypothetical increase in the potassium intake to the recommended level would reduce the systolic blood pressure in the populations of these countries by between 1.7 and 3.2 mm Hg. This corresponds with the reduction that would occur if Western consumers were to take in 4 g of salt less per day. The intakes of both potassium and sodium are therefore of importance in preventing high blood pressure.

Earlier studies have shown that salt reduction of 3 g per day in food could reduce blood pressure and prevent 2500 deaths per year due to cardiovascular diseases in the Netherlands. In Western countries, salt consumption can be as high as 9-12 g a day whereas 5 g is the recommended amount according to WHO standards. Most household salt is to be found in processed foods such as bread, ready-made meals, soups, sauces and savoury snacks and pizzas. An effective way of increasing potassium intake is to follow the guidelines for healthy nutrition more closely, including a higher consumption of vegetables and fruit. In addition, the use of mineral salts in processed foods -- by which sodium is partly replaced by potassium -- would contribute to an improved intake of both sodium and potassium.

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The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Wageningen University and Research Centre, via AlphaGalileo.

Journal Reference:

Linda A. J. van Mierlo; Arno Greyling; Peter L. Zock; Frans J. Kok; Johanna M. Geleijnse. Suboptimal Potassium Intake and Potential Impact on Population Blood Pressure. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2010; 170 (16): 1501-1502 DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2010.284

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Researchers find rising levels of hypertension in older Mexican-Americans

ScienceDaily (Jan. 13, 2011) — A new study by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston reveals that the prevalence of hypertension in older Mexican-Americans living in the Southwest region of the United States has increased slightly in the last decade.

Researchers suspect the rise is due, in part, to the increase in diabetes and obesity.

Although hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common diseases in the United States, affecting more than 72 million Americans, it is one of the most manageable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Advancements in the diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension have been major contributors to the decline in cardiovascular mortality in recent decades.

"We always expect that things are improving, right?" said Kyriakos S. Markides, co-author and principal investigator of the study, which has been funded by the National Institute on Aging since 1992. "But now we're finding that, in the more recent study participants, they're more disabled, have more diabetes, have slightly more obesity and slightly more hypertension."

The study, which appears in the January issue of the Annals of Epidemiology, looked at 3,952 older Mexican-Americans residing in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and California. A group of 3,050 men and women, 65 and older, were evaluated in 1993-1994, and an additional 902 men and women, 75 and older, were added in 2004-2005. Researchers interviewed the study subjects and took health measurements every two to three years.

The hypertension prevalence rates were significantly different in 1993-1994 compared with 2004-2005 (73 percent vs. 78.4 percent, respectively). The increase in hypertension prevalence was significant for subjects 75 to 79 years, for U.S.-born subjects, for subjects with diabetes and for the obese.

Self-reported hypertension was assessed by asking subjects if a doctor had ever told them that they had high blood pressure. Blood pressure readings were taken by interviewers during in-home visits. Participants were asked to provide the containers of the medications taken in the two weeks prior to the interview, and drug names were recorded.

Subjects were considered hypertensive if they had been told by a physician that they had hypertension, if they had an average systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or an average diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher, or if they were taking antihypertensive medications.

While overall hypertension awareness was significantly higher in 2004-2005 than in 1993-1994 (82.6 percent vs. 63 percent, respectively), diabetic and obese subjects were more likely to be hypertensive in 2004-2005 than in 1993-1994.

There's good news and bad news, said Markides. "The bad news is the prevalence of hypertension went up -- not a huge increase, but up nonetheless -- due in part to obesity and diabetes. The good news is that the hypertension is better controlled because of increased awareness and better management."

Hispanics living in the United States are expected to number 120 million by 2050. "This is a long-living population with increasing rates of disability, diabetes and chronic disease," said Markides.

"More effort should be targeted to reverse trends of both obesity and diabetes as potential causes of increases in hypertension," wrote Markides and his collaborators. "Further investigations should be directed toward providing clear guidelines and goals for hypertension treatment and control in the very old to improve hypertension outcomes in this population."

The study's researchers include Markides, Yong-Fang Kuo, Soham Al Snih, Mukaila A. Raji and Laura A. Ray from UTMB Health, and Majd Al Ghatrif from Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Md., formerly a visiting fellow at UTMB.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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The Good and Bad Levels of High Blood Pressure

If you have cause to become worried about your blood pressure, you ought to begin monitoring it yourself at home. High blood pressure or hypertension is known as 'The Silent Killer' because you cannot know whether you have it unless you measure it. You cannot guess or just feel it. First of all, you should talk to your doctor and he will give you some numbers, then you can buy a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your condition.

When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your medical doctor or your machine, you will be given two figures, say 120/80.

The first number is your systolic pressure. The systolic pressure is while your heart 'beats' or contracts, pumping your blood through you body.

The second number is when your heart expands, sucking blood back into itself. This is the diastolic pressure. These readings are of the blood pressure in your arteries.

There are four categories that your arterial pressure numbers can fall into. The first is normal and it is generally accepted that that means readings below 120/80. These figures relate to a healthy person and can be achieved by almost anyone by keeping a healthy active lifestyle.

The second stage is called 'Prehypertension' and relates to arterial pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you ought to be doing something to decrease your blood pressure. This could mean: a modification of diet; drinking less alcohol, tea or coffee; losing weight; taking more exercise; smoking less or giving up smoking altogether.

The third stage is known as 'Hypertension Stage One' and is reflected by figures between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you actually have to see your doctor and he will advocate significant changes to your lifestyle along the lines stated above or / and he will put you on tablets.

The fourth stage is called 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your medical doctor will want to get you to make radical alterations to your lifestyle and / or take medication which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage go to your medical doctor's as soon as possible.

While you are talking about your arterial pressure with your GP, be sure you tell him about any other medicine you are taking, because some medication will raise arterial pressures too. Examples of medication that can raise your arterial pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough medications.

There are other things that can affect your pressure figures as well. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money concerns, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that prevent you from sleeping properly?

Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for hypertension. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your medical doctor prescribe tablets to reduce your blood pressure, make certain he is aware of all your circumstances.

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