Did you know that May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month? Now is a great time to get educated on what exactly blood pressure is and what effects it. Blood pressure is the strength of blood pushing through your blood vessels.   High blood pressure, known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood…

There has been a lot of hype around sodium lately. As of December 1st, 2015, New York City began to require identification of menu items in chain restaurants that contain more than the daily limit of sodium. While this new law might sound like a step in a healthier direction, there is a lot of…

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in every 4 deaths resulting from the condition.  Though genetic predisposition plays a role in developing cardiovascular disease, the reason why the incidence of this disease has reached exponential numbers is likely a result of poor lifestyle choices, including a high…

Are you increasingly seeing more and more low-sodium products on the grocery shelves? This is because the 2010 Dietary Guidelines emphasize reducing salt in your diet to less than 2300 mg for otherwise healthy people and to less than 1500 mg for those who are 51 and older, African American or have hypertension, diabetes or…

Category Systolic (top number) Diastolic (bottom number) Normal Less than 120 mm Hg Less than 80 mm hg Prehypertension 120–139 80–89 Stage 1 hypertension 140–159 90–99 Stage 2 hypertension 160 or higher 100 or higher There is an exception to the above definition of high blood pressure. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg or higher…