FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Family history of high blood pressure Race (African-Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than Caucasians.) Male gender (Men have a greater risk of high blood pressure than women until age 55, when their respective risks are similar. At age 75 and older, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure than men.) Age (Blood pressure tends to increase with age.) Sensitivity to salt Obesity and excess weight Heavy alcohol consumption Use of oral contraceptives and some other medications Sedentary or inactive lifestyle

Source: American Heart Association. (2001) Heart and Stroke A-Z Guide: High Blood Pressure, Factors that Contribute to. [Online]. Available: Stroke_A_Z_Guide/hbpf.html [10/18/01]. BLOOD PRESSURE DEFINED

TOTAL DIRECT COSTS OF TREATING HYPERTENSION ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $29.6 BILLION IN 2001.

A number of studies have highlighted the health benefits of lowering high blood pressure even by small amounts. Analyses of recent clinical trials indicate a 38 percent decrease in strokes among patients who lowered their blood pressure only slightly.

Compared with Caucasians, African-Americans develop high blood pressure at an earlier age and their average blood pressures are much higher. African-Americans have moderate high blood pressure twice as often as Caucasians and severe high blood pressure three times as often. As a result, African-Americans have a 2- to 3- fold greater risk of stroke and are more likely to die of stroke than Caucasians.

"DASH" stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension," Department of Health and Human Services National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

DASH study link

Sacks F et al. N Engl J Med 2001;344:3-10 The Effect on Systolic Blood Pressure (Panel A) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (Panel B) of Reduced Sodium Intake and the DASH Diet

Carol was a marketing exec at the Alberto Culver Co., she was frustrated with the products available to flavor the nutritious meals she prepared at home for her family. She needed a convenient way to flavor the food without using salt. So, Carol got creative in the kitchen and invented a salt-free blend of her own.