Decrease your risk for hypertension by adopting healthy lifestyle

Modifiable lifestyle factors (e.g., maintaining normal weight, exercising regularly) are associated with lower risk for many diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. While several modifiable risk factors have been identified, their combined risk and distribution in the population have not been assessed. Now, the latest research studies groups have explored these relations in detail.
Researchers followed 84,000 female nurses (mean age at entry, 36; mean follow-up, 14 years) biennially to evaluate the effects of six lifestyle factors (body-mass index, exercise, adherence to an antihypertensive diet, alcohol intake, use of non-narcotic analgesics, and supplemental intake of folic acid) on risk for new-onset hypertension. Overall, 12,000 participants (15%) developed hypertension. All 6 modifiable risk factors were independently associated with the risk of developing hypertension during follow-up after adjusting for age, race, family history of hypertension, smoking status, and use of oral contraceptives. The relation between each risk factor and likelihood of developing hypertension was statistically significant with obesity (BMI greater than 25) risk for hypertension was almost 5-fold higher in obese women than in women with normal BMI (less than 25).

Comment:
The study shows that new onset of hypertension in women can be prevented by adopting low-risk dietary and lifestyle factors. How much evidence do we need to shift the medical communities focus from treatment to prevention?
-Dr. Abida Wali, N.D.

Forman JP et al. Diet and lifestyle risk factors associated with incident hypertension in women. JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:401.
Medline abstract (Free)

Our Health Program is a great place to start
At Ocean Pacific Integrative Health Center, we celebrate every person’s uniqueness by providing personalized Health Plans. Our individualized Health plans includes: comprehensive review of your overall state of health, physical exam, labs and our therapeutic lifestyle program called FirstLine Therapy (FLT).

FLT is not just a program, it is a lifestyle for reversing and preventing chronic disease. With FirstLine Therapy, you'll learn simple things you can do every day to take control of your health—such as diet, exercise, stress management, and appropriate nutritional supplementation.

• To learn more about the Program, go toFLT.
• Call us at 760-944-9300 for our special package rate and we can help you choose a Health Plan that is most appropriate for you.
• To find out about other risk factors for heart disease, go to Heart Health.
• Not sure which plans is right for you, schedule a complimentary consult with one of our naturopathic doctors.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to us at 760-944-9300 or visit us at http://opintegrativecenter.com. We're here to help support you on your path to wellness.

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