Preventing hypertension

From the January Bandolier - a review of hypertension prevention:

  • Maintain normal body weight for adults (body mass index 18.5 to 24.9 kg/sq metre)
  • Reduce dietary sodium intake to no more than 100 mmol per day (about six grams of sodium chloride or 2.4 grams of sodium per day)
  • Engage in regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking (at least 30 minutes per day, most days of the week)
  • Limit daily alcohol consumption to no more than 30 mL ethanol for men and no more than 15 mL for women and lighter weight persons [20 mL ethanol is equivalent to a pint and a half of beer, half a bottle of wine, or 60 mL of average strength spirits]
  • Maintain adequate intake of dietary potassium (more than 90 mmol or 3.5 grams per day)
  • Have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and in low-fat dairy products with a reduced content of saturated and total fat