The new guidelines urge Americans to reduce alcohol and salt for better blood pressure

It is estimated that more 115 million Americans have high blood pressure. Now, in an effort to approach this figure (and the host with dangerous conditions which often accompany blood pressure), the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have released Updated guidelines On how Americans are expected to manage their heart health.

The new zero report in Sodium and alcohol consumption– specifically, for anyone looking to treat or even prevent High blood pressure (hypertension), the authors now recommend:

• Using potassium -based salt substitutes to reduce sodium intake
• Avoid alcohol

Directives, published on August 14 Traffic, Replace the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACA), the arterial directives of hypertension of 2017 and put more emphasis on prevention and early treatment. These lifestyle changes and others are Recommended for all adults.

“These recommendations are essential to prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and chronic kidney disease “,” Daniel Jones, MD, Chairman of the Directorate Writing Committee, former president of the AHA, and Dean and professor emeritus at the Mississippi University School of Medicine, said Health.

To update these directives, an expert committee has carried out a seven -month examination of the relevant hypertension published since February 2015.

Experts have again recommended that people consume less than 2,300 milligrams (MG) of sodium daily, but Strive to consume 1,500 mg or less. To achieve this, they recommended the use of Potassium -based salt substitutes (As long as a person has no chronic kidney disease or uses a drug to improve potassium absorption).

In 2017, the report recommended limiting alcohol consumption to No more than one glass a day for women and two for men. Although these guidelines are always included in the updated report, the authors have now pushed it further, adding that Avoid alcohol completely is “optimal” For healthy blood pressure.

When someone suffers from hypertension, it means the blood force flow through their blood vessels is higher than it should be. And alcohol and sodium consumption can both contribute to this high pressure.

According to AHA, Eat too much Both increase the amount of blood pumped through the body and tighten the blood vessels over time. The majority of the American sodium intake comes from meals from restaurants or processed foods.

When it comes to alcohol, The mechanisms are a little less clear. Experts have suggested that alcohol consumption could cause inflammation, an increase in cortisol levels or imbalances in the central nervous system, among other factors, which can all increase blood pressure.

The amount consumed is important: alcohol consumption has been linked to hypertension, as well as cardiomyopathy, heart disease and problems with the blood itself. However, Even small amounts of daily alcohol consumption can Increase blood pressure, A 2023 study revealed.

Whether from salt, alcohol or something else, this additional pressure on your blood vessels can have long -term consequences of your health. Hypertension is the most common and modifiable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases Like coronary disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cerebral vascular accidents, chronic kidney diseases and all causes, Jones said.

Brain health is also a concern: “blood pressure affects cognitive function and [can lead to] Dementia ”, Paul Bhella, MD, cardiologist and professor of medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine of Texas Christian University, said Health.

More specifically, research has shown that having hypertension at mature age is linked to approximately 60% risk of dementia and a risk of Alzheimer’s disease at around 25% higher.

Thus, by dealing with high blood pressure – or by preventing it first – health care providers can reduce the risk of these patients with these chronic conditions. And according to new guidelines, they can Recommend changes to your lifestyle and your diet that they could have had in the past.

Beyond the simple consumption of salt and alcohol, the committee also suggested people Use the AHA prevention tool, Who helps people aged 30 to 79 to estimate their risk of 10 and 30 years of cardiovascular disease (CVD), said Jones.

To do this, avoid the eyes of the body mass index, blood pressure, social engines of health and other factors, he explained. If a person is The score is high, they should start medication to lower their blood pressure, Even if they have not really reached high stadium hypertension, according to the new guidelines.

“In medicine, we cannot adopt a unique approach,” said Omar Obaid, Do, cardiologist at the Rush University Medical Center Health. “The prevention calculator helps you, as well as your supplier, to identify your individual risk for the development of heart and vascular diseases, so that they can adapt you to treatment.”

In addition, the new report has made additional recommendations to Manage blood pressure in special populations:

• For those who are pregnant: If someone suffers from chronic hypertension (not only linked to their pregnancy), the new report recommends treating. The trials showed the taking of drugs at a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg – rather than waiting until the previous objective of 160/105 mmhg – seems to improve the results of the pregnancy, Wanpen Vongpatanas, MD, one of the members of the line committee Health.
• For those who suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure: Some people suffering from severe hypertension run a high risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problems, said Raymond Townsend, MD, Director of Hypertension in the Department of Internal Medicine / Renal at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It is only after discussions with experts and a consideration of other options, the new guidelines recommend renal denervation – a procedure that reduces the nerves of the kidney – for these patients. This strategy “strengthens the importance of sewing care to the most vulnerable to cardiovascular events and provides clinicians with another tool to help reduce risks,” said Townsend Health.

Managing your blood pressure may seem intimidating, especially when it means making major cuts to your sodium and alcohol intake. But experts agree that these two changes can help reduce your risk of heart problems and dementia later in life.

To implement these directives, according to Townsend, you can:

• Limit packaged or processed foods, in particular those with a high sodium content
• Follow The Dash diet
• Choose whole foods and fresh ingredients as far as possible
• Drink Flavored sparkling water, teas or alcohols to reduce alcohol consumption

Other useful tips for managing or preventing hypertension? Make sure you exercise regularly, lower your stress levels, stop smoking, And get so high quality sleep as possible.

In addition to lifestyle and drug changes, it can also be intelligent Check your blood pressure regularly at home If you suffer from hypertension, according to the new report. “This can help confirm a diagnosis, avoid false readings caused by nervousness at the doctor’s office (known as” white coconut “) and follow the way your treatment works over time,” said Obaid.

You can find a list of precise blood pressure monitors at Validatebp.org, a site approved by the American Medical Association, suggested vongpatanas. If you see your readings upwards, it could be a sign to contact your doctor.

At the end of the day, however, even when you do everything correctly, “Hypertension can be difficult to control”, “ Underlined Townsend. “The good news is that these updated directives give patients and doctors more options to treat hypertension.”