America’s Hypertension Epidemic
America has a very high occurrence of the illness hypertension. Nobody quite knows why this is the case but several eminent scientists and sociologists have theories that could help.
Many are looking to other countries to try and explain the situation. Countries like India, china, Japan and the Philippines have nowhere near the rate of hypertension that the USA has.
Hypertension is a condition that develops when blood pressure levels rise above normal and stay there. A normal blood pressure range should be 125/80 mm Hg to 135/90 mm Hg.
Scientists think that the incidence of hypertension in countries like India and china is low because of the population’s diet. They consume mainly fresh meals and do not have as much salt or saturated fats in the food they eat.
Sociologists think that America’s high rate of hypertension is to do with increasing laziness of the society. In a country like Japan every school and work day starts with morning exercises. Schools and businesses do not employ cleaners, the pupils and workers take on the task. In American schools and businesses there are no exercise regimes and cleaners are employed.
Exercise stimulates the cardiovascular system and helps keep blood pressure levels stable.
If America does not do something about its incidence of hypertension there could be serious repercussions for the nations health.
I have high blood pressure myslef. Stroke is not the only thing to worry about with high blood pressure, there are other issues as well; heart, kidneys, etc. It’s very important to avoid salt. Don’t have a salt shaker at the table. Don’t add salt in cooking. Don’t purchase or eat foods that are packaged, pre-prepared, processed, cured, canned, pickled, or frozen. They are all VERY high in sodium, too high for someone with high blood pressure.There are also seasoning blends that contain salt as well that he will have to avoid and condiments should be limited to small amounts (ketchup, mustard, etc.). Your father needs to eat fresh food, prepared at home, without salt. He will have to learn to use seasonings without salt like Mrs. Dash, curry powder, etc. for flavour. Your father should also make sure he drinks plenty of water, at least 2 litres per day or more. Caffeine also raises blood pressure so if he’s a coffee drinker he needs to cut back. I’m down to about 1/2 a cup a day though that’s a little extreme. 1 cup or maybe 2 on occasion is plenty. He should stop drinking any sodas/pops with caffeine such as Coke, Pepsi, etc.Controlling blood pressure with medication alone is not enough. He must also cut way back on salt, eat a healthy diet, and get adequate exercise. A brisk walk every evening would do him a world of good.