weight and the balance of sodium and other of the
body’s minerals in balance.
Since manufacturers add sodium to preserve
canned fish and poultry, choosing fresh fish and poul-
try instead can make a big difference in the level of
sodium in the diet. Alternatives to canned and instant
products include Fresh vegetables and pastas and rice.Benefits
Not everyone is sensitive to salt; some people have
high blood pressure for other reasons such as heredity.
But it is estimated that about one-half of people with
high blood pressure are ‘‘salt-sensitive’’. When they eat
excessive amounts of salt, their blood pressure rises.
Overweight andobesityare other factors affecting
blood pressure control; therefore, developing dietary
and lifestyle habits aimed at maintaining or losing
weight are encouraged. Closely following a diet such
as DASH or one prescribed by a physician to keep
weight in the normal range will help control blood
pressure. In addition to controlling blood pressure,
people who follow eating plans that consist of con-
trolled portions, balanced intake from all food groups,
and reduced sodium will enjoy other heart-healthy
benefits, such as lower cholesterol.Precautions
Eating plans such as DASH or those suggested by
a physician must be followed carefully in order to
work. Learning how to read labels and to recognize
hidden salt in prepared dishes is as important as push-
ing away the saltshaker at meals. People who begin the
DASH eating plan may want to gradually work up to
the increased amount of fiber to prevent bloating and
potential diarrhea. People with kidney trouble or heart
failure should talk with their physicians before starting
a diet that boosts potassium.
A diet for hypertension helps prevent high blood
pressure or is one tool to control blood pressure. Diet
is not a substitute for prescribed medications, so
patients should never stop taking medicines prescribed
for high blood pressure without checking with their
physicians.Risks
It is important to involve a physician or registered
dietitian in diet planning for high blood pressure and
to check the advice of credible organizations such as
the American Heart Association, the American Die-
tetic Association, or the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute for information on diets recommended
by those other than physicians and health care pro-viders. People with high blood pressure should not rely
on ‘‘fad’’ diets for quick weight or blood pressure fixes.Research and general acceptanceIn a clinical trial the DASH diet lowered systolic
blood pressure for patients with high blood pressure
by an average of 11 mm Hg and diastolic blood pres-
sure by an average of 5.5 mm Hg. A review of research
also shows that patients with high blood pressure who
lost 3% to 9% of their body weight experienced a drop
of 3 mm Hg in both systolic and diastolic blood pres-
sure measurements.
Research shows that decreased use of sodium
helps lower blood pressure. A review of 17 clinical
trials showed that people with hypertension who ate
a reduced-sodium diet had reductions of 5 mm Hg in
systolic blood pressure and 3 mm Hg in diastolic blood
pressure. Research also has shown a link between
increased sodium intake and obesity in the United
States. Reducing alcohol consumption by nearly
two-thirds resulted in improvements of between
2.5mm Hg and 4 mm Hg in blood pressure. Research
has shown that vegetarians in industrialized countries
generally have lower blood pressures, but in clinical
trials, the vegetarian diets reduced systolic blood pres-
sure but had no real effect on diastolic blood pressure.Resources
BOOKS
Heller, Marla.The DASH Diet.Amidon Press, 2005.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas,
TX 75231. (800) 242-8721.<http://www.americanheart
.org>
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. P.O. Box 30105,
Bethesda, MD 20284. (301) 592-8573.<http://www
.nhlbi.nih.gov>Teresa G. OdleQUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR How do I know what diet is best for my
individual condition?
What’s my daily sodium limit?
What foods should I avoid?
What foods should I choose more often?Hypertension