Letter: More reasons to have diet to lower blood pressure

Monday, July 28, 2003 | 8:45 a.m.

The number of Americans suffering from high blood pressure has risen to 58.4 million, or 28.7 percent of the population, according to a study published in the July 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was based on a national sample of 5,448 adults.

High blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, which kill 710,000 and 170,000 Americans annually.

Edward Roccella, coordinator of the National Health, Lung and Blood Institute's National Blood Pressure Education Program, notes that high blood pressure can be avoided and lowered by eating a more healthful diet and by exercising.

In fact, a 1997 study by the Johns Hopkins University found dramatic decreases in blood pressure of men and women who ate lots of fruits and vegetables and consumed meat infrequently.

The alarming results of the CDC study should further strengthen our resolve to replace meat and animal fat in our diet with vegetables, grains and fruits.

LAWRENCE LAMBERT