Modern life subjects modern humans to stresses our ancestors did not encounter. Early humans (who contributed our genetic background) evolved in an environment where starvation and predation were the predominant hazards to survival. Their lifestyles were characterized by chronic caloric restriction and high levels of physical activity. The... Read more
High blood pressure has been related to salt intake for over two thousand years. Chinese physicians described "Hardening of the pulse" after excessive salt ingestion in their writings before the time of Christ. Salt restriction has been a cornerstone of hypertension management for a century, and diuretics (which increase sodium excretion through... Read more
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a very common condition in Western civilization. It is strongly associated with stroke, dementia and heart attack. It is quite treatable. Yet many studies suggest that a third of the over fifty million Americans with hypertension aren't aware of their diagnosis, and another third are not being treated... Read more