Other behavioral changes for people with blood pressure above optimal levels include consuming more than 3,500 mg of dietary potassium per day — an approach especially important for individuals with high sodium intake — and limiting alcohol consumption to no more than 1 ounce of ethanol (e.g., 24 oz beer, 10 oz wine, or 2 oz 100-proof whiskey) per day in most men and to no more than 0.5 ounce per day in women.

These lifestyle factors are essential for seniors and others who are more likely to develop high blood pressure, such as those with high-normal blood pressure or a family history of hypertension; those who are African American, overweight or obese, or inactive; and those who consume more than the recommended amounts of dietary sodium or alcohol, or insufficient amounts of potassium.

The report advises, however, that efforts to prevent blood pressure from rising in children are also important. School administrators can help by offering heart healthy foods in their cafeterias and health education programs in their classrooms.

"Our society needs to better support individuals who are trying to make healthy lifestyle changes," said Dr. Jiang He, who co-chaired the NHBPEP working group with his Tulane colleague. For instance, reimbursement of counseling services for hypertension prevention could help consumers adopt healthy behaviors.

Source: http://health.msn.com

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