{"id":6453,"date":"2024-01-25T06:02:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T06:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthnewscentral.com\/?p=6453"},"modified":"2024-01-25T06:02:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T06:02:13","slug":"lower-blood-pressure-through-medication-and-less-salt-intake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthnewscentral.com\/lower-blood-pressure-through-medication-and-less-salt-intake\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Blood Pressure Through Medication And Less Salt Intake"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cleveland Clinic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Consuming a diet high in sodium can significantly and adversely impact your blood pressure. Recent research underscores the consensus among experts, advocating a dual approach involving both medication and lifestyle modifications to effectively manage blood pressure levels.<\/p>\n

Published on November 11 in JAMA<\/em><\/a> and presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2023 in Philadelphia, a groundbreaking study sheds light on the potential for substantial blood pressure reduction through a modest reduction in daily salt intake. Even individuals already on blood pressure medication can experience a noteworthy decrease in blood pressure by simply reducing their daily salt intake by approximately one teaspoon.<\/p>\n

This study, considered one of the most extensive investigations into the consequences of sodium reduction on blood pressure, revealed that nearly three out of four participants observed a decline in their blood pressure within just one week of transitioning from a high-sodium to a low-sodium diet. Dr. Norrina Allen<\/a>, a coauthor of the study, a professor of preventive medicine, and the director of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, emphasized the rapid and significant impact that dietary changes can have on blood pressure levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe average amount of blood pressure lowering was about 8 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) for systolic blood pressure, which is similar to the effect produced by medications for high blood pressure,\u201d<\/strong> <\/em>Dr. Allen said.<\/p>\n

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Only 1 in 4 U.S. Adults With High Blood Pressure Control the Problem<\/h2>\n

Elevated blood pressure constitutes a significant peril for cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, contributing substantially to premature fatalities across the globe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a> reported that nearly half of the adult population in the United States, roughly 120 million individuals, grapples with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.<\/p>\n

Dr. Allen highlights the challenging nature of managing blood pressure, even for individuals undergoing medication regimens. Alarmingly, only a mere 25% of adults afflicted with hypertension successfully maintain it within recommended parameters, as per the CDC’s findings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet is advised for those with high blood pressure, the tangible benefits have not been extensively quantified in recent research. Furthermore, existing studies have often excluded individuals relying on blood pressure-controlling medications, thereby leaving a critical knowledge gap in understanding the comprehensive impact of dietary interventions on this prevalent health concern.<\/p>\n

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Effects of a Diet With High Sodium vs. Very Little Sodium<\/h2>\n

The research involved 213 individuals aged between 56 and 65 years. Among the participants, 64 percent were female, with an equal percentage identifying as Black, 33 percent as white, and 1 percent belonging to other races or choosing not to specify.<\/p>\n

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group followed a high-sodium diet, consuming 2,200 milligrams (mg) per day in addition to their regular diet. The second group adhered to a low-sodium diet, limiting their intake to a total of 500 mg per day, for a duration of one week. It’s noteworthy that the American Heart Association recommends a sodium intake of under 1,500 mg per day. In the subsequent week, the two groups switched diets.<\/p>\n

Prior to each study visit, participants wore blood pressure monitors and collected urine samples over a 24-hour period.<\/p>\n

The findings revealed the following:<\/p>\n