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New Blood Pressure Guidelines - Is your weight putting you at risk?
Mpls., MN May 21, 2003: Millions of people who thought their blood pressure was at a healthy level got an unpleasant surprise this week. According to new government guidelines released today by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, blood pressure readings once considered normal or borderline actually signal "prehypertension." People whose blood pressure falls in this category must take swift action to prevent developing true high blood pressure, and the heart disease risks associated with it.
The threshold for high blood pressure (hypertension) remains the same. It is defined as a blood pressure reading of 140 over 90 (140/90) or more. The new guidelines classify normal blood pressure as below 120/80 - and readings ranging from 120/80 up to 140/90 as prehypertensive.
The guidelines urge doctors to be far more aggressive in treating hypertension and prehypertension. According to new research about a third of people with high blood pressure don't even know it, and two thirds of those who have been diagnosed as having hypertension are not receiving adequate treatment. It now appears it may take two or more drugs to adequately control hypertension in some individuals.
An estimated 45 million Americans fall in the prehypertension category. They are at risk for developing hypertension and need to take action to prevent it. Medication is not appropriate for this population. Instead, people with prehypertension are encouraged to implement lifestyle changes known to reduce blood pressure. This includes losing weight if they're overweight, getting regular physical activity, avoiding a salty diet, and consuming no more than two alcoholic drinks a day.
Why the concern over a few ticks on the blood pressure meter? Recent scientific studies show the risk of heart disease actually begins rising once blood pressure creeps above 115/75 according to guideline co-author and hypertension specialist, Dr. Ed Roccella. The risk of heart disease doubles for each 20-point rise in the top number, called the systolic pressure, or 10-point rise in the bottom number, the diastolic pressure.
Our Response:
If you believe your weight may be putting you at risk for hypertension, OPTIFAST® can help. Since 1974 OPTIFAST Medically Monitored Weight Management programs have helped over a million people lose weight and reduce their risk of weight related health conditions like hypertension. The average decrease in blood pressure with OPTIFAST treatment is 10%, and average weight loss with OPTIFAST is 52lbs. Follow-up studies 5 years after treatment, show the majority of people who complete the program are able to keep enough weight off to improve their health long-term. Click here to locate an OPTIFAST Clinic near you.