foodconsumer.org: In America, Hypertension is ignored

In America, Hypertension is ignored
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admin on 02/24/2010 12:26:00
 
In America, Hypertension is ignored
On Monday, the CDC was advised by National Academy of Sciences to make such
policies which persuade people to do more physical activities, eat less and
consume less salt in their foods to prevent hypertension.  It is not a very
difficult task to lower blood pressure if people control their diet, perform
exercises and take proper medicines. Still, the disease is the second most
common reason for deaths in America, said David Fleming, who is the director of
Public Health for King County and Seattle in Washington.
In a telephonic interview, Fleming said that it is not at all difficult to
diagnose and cure hypertension. Reports also suggest that every sixth person who
dies in America dies due to high blood pressure.
Total expenditure incurred by the health system on hypertension amounts to $73
billion every year.  But less than $50 billion is spent by the CDC for promoting
preventive measures for heart related disease, said Fleming.
The report given by the Institute suggests that developing healthy food habits
like eating fresh vegetables, less salt, fruits and lean protein can reduce the
chances of hypertension by 22%. Reports also suggest that if those Americans who
are obese lower down their weight even by ten pounds, it would reduce the rate
of hypertension by seven to eight percent of total population. Such programs
that provoke inactive Americans to do exercises can reduce rate of hypertension
by four to six percent.
For controlling high blood pressure, ACE inhibitors and Beta Blockers are
generally used by doctors. By reducing blood pressure, chances of heart attack,
stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular related diseases also get
reduced.
This report also tells that 86% of people who suffer from hypertension have
medical insurance and they go to their doctors on regular basis. Fleming has
said that many doctors do not follow guidelines properly and this results in
patients being ignorant of their condition.
CDC has been advised by the group to find out the reasons behind the failure of
guidelines by the doctors. The group also needs CDC to request private insurance
companies and federal Medicare and Medicaid programs to lower down the
percentage of deductibles and co-payments that are required for drugs treating
hypertension.
A large number of people around the world have high blood pressure. The chief
causes of hypertension include smoking, inactive lifestyle, chronic disease like
disease of kidney, diabetes and high level of cholesterol in blood.
By LOUIS CARLOS and editing by Denise Reynolds