Shake Away Risk of Stroke

(ARA) - Each year, millions of Americans make resolutions to live a more healthful lifestyle. All too often, however, these resolutions fade as people with good intentions end up losing their resolve.

Therefore, as several national health organizations renew their education programs, it's time to remind Americans of the risks of high blood pressure that can lead to strokes - the third leading cause of death in the U.S.

National Stroke Awareness Month and National High Blood Pressure Education Month, both in May, are themes to remind us that 50 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure. Yet only about two-thirds are aware they have the condition.

For those with high blood pressure, the risk of stroke is real. The American Heart Association says about 600,000 strokes occur, from which some 160,000 people die, each year in the U.S. Many more face permanent health problems or long and costly rehabilitation.

Interestingly, stroke is one of the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems, according to the National Stroke Association (NSA), sponsor of National Stroke Awareness Month. Some risk factors are uncontrollable, such as advanced age, diabetes and family history of stroke. However, there are controllable factors, including high blood pressure, heart diseases and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and being overweight.

In addition to checking blood pressure and cholesterol levels, health experts recommend proper dietary habits. One guideline from NSA suggests that by cutting down on sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and, most importantly, lower your risk of stroke.

Sodium is essential to certain body functions, such as maintaining fluid levels, but many people overdo consumption. "Following a reduced sodium diet often is a challenge because so many processed foods we eat are high in sodium. Add to that the salt people use at the table, often times without even first tasting the food, and you have a high sodium intake," says registered dietitian Laurie Meyer.

General health guidelines suggest adults consume not more than 2400 mg of sodium per day, which is equal to 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt. You would consume close to your daily limit by drinking eight ounces of tomato juice (877 mg) and eating one cup of canned vegetable soup (823 mg) along with 10 soda crackers (390 mg). Meyer says the minimum requirements for sodium are 500 mg per day.

Simply putting away the saltshaker won't solve the problem. Sodium is hidden all around us - in processed food, fast food and snack food, in some natural fruits and vegetables, and even in the water we drink. Public and well water supplies in many regions of the U.S. have high sodium content. You can learn the sodium content in your public water supply by contacting your local health department or water utility.

If you have a water softener and use sodium chloride pellets to filter the water, you may be adding substantially to the amount of sodium you ingest. Sodium chloride softeners add about 300 mg of salt to every quart of water.

"You should limit the amount of such water you drink, use in ice cubes and in food preparation," Meyer suggests. "Switching to a potassium chloride softener, such as Nature's Own, will remove most salt and add about 200 mg of potassium to each quart of water. Potassium is a nutrient that helps to lower blood pressure."

Meyer advises that people who are on a sodium or potassium restricted diet and those with health concerns should consult a physician prior to consuming water softened with products that contain sodium or potassium.

May is an opportunity to renew your promise to live healthier in this new century. Your life may depend on it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information, contact Rose Anderson/Jeff Arner, DeFrancesco/Goodfriend at (312) 644-4409.

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