MHS Highlights National High Blood Pressure Education Month

Posted 7 May 2012 by aborgmeyer & filed under Member News, Press Release.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. About 74.5 million people in the United States have high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension. Hypertension increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States.

Hypertension Facts:

• Almost 90% of adults aged 45–64 years will develop high blood pressure during the remainder of their lifetime.
• Nearly one of five people has hypertension and is not aware that they have it.
• High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.
• A diet high in sodium (salt) increases the risk for higher blood pressure. About 77% of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed and restaurant foods.

You can maintain healthy blood pressure through changing your lifestyle or by combining lifestyle changes with prescribed medications.

Key lifestyle changes include the following:

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Stay active with exercise. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that’s right for you.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium.
• Quit smoking.
• If you have high blood pressure and are prescribed medicine, take your medicine as directed.

No-salt recipe: Tantalizingly Tangy Meatloaf
(Courtesy of allrecipes.com)

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
Garlic powder to taste
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup pineapple preserves

Directions:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• 2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well, and place into a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
• 3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 50 minutes.
• 4. Meanwhile, in a separate medium bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar and pineapple preserves.
• 5. Pour over the meatloaf about 20 minutes before removing from oven.

Download a copy of this recipe (PDF)