Government updates guidelines to prevent high blood pressure

Tuesday, October 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) _ The government has issued updated guidelines on high blood pressure that emphasize that exercise and diet are often enough to prevent hypertension, even in people at high risk for the disorder.

The guidelines also say recent research has cast doubt on the benefit of some products promoted as blood pressure reducers. Calcium supplements and fish oil supplements, for example, show only modest effects, the guidelines say.

The guidelines are geared toward the general population and especially people with ``high normal'' blood pressure, measuring from 130 over 85 up to 139 over 89. About 23 million Americans are in that category, and like those with hypertension, face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. True hypertension begins at 140 over 90 and affects about 50 million U.S. adults.

Because most hypertension research involves patients with true high blood pressure, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe drugs for people with high-normal pressure.

The new guidelines suggest lifestyle changes are often enough, said Edward Roccella, coordinator of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's high blood pressure education program.

The agency's guidelines appear in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

They update guidelines from 1993 and are based on recent research that underscores the importance of a diet high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, as well as more than 3,500 milligrams of potassium daily. Catfish, bananas and green beans are examples of potassium-rich foods, and potassium supplements may also be beneficial.

The guidelines also re-emphasize the importance of limiting alcohol intake to two drinks a day for men and one a day for women; and sodium intake to no more than 2.4 grams daily, or the equivalent of about a teaspoon of table salt.

Maintaining a normal weight and getting at least a half hour of physical activity a day will also help prevent high blood pressure, the guidelines say.

Roccella said the updated guidelines would be posted on the NIH Web site, with suggested recipes, too.