Over thirty million people in the US alone suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. That makes it the third most prevalent condition in the country. But more important than how high blood pressure ranks, is what it portrays for senior citizens. It holds a high risk factor for heart attack and stroke. It actually predicts who will suffer from cardiovascular disease once they reach the age of 65.

 The good news is that 70% of people who suffer from high blood pressure only have a mild case. Their blood pressure hits the diastolic scale somewhere between 90 and 105 mm Hg. Today, emphasis is placed on therapy that does not include drugs. Physicians and researchers agree that non-drug therapy is the best route to go if it gets results.

 Weight

Excess weight is a large factor in high blood pressure. Though many people who are not obese suffer from the condition, it’s three times more likely that those who are overweight will develop the condition. Obesity starts at 20% above the ideal weight for your height and bone structure. However, sometimes a small weight loss of five to ten pounds will reduce blood pressure to within the normal range. If you have high blood pressure and are overweight, try to get as close to your recommended body weight as possible.

 Kick the Salt

 Though it has never been proven that salt causes high blood pressure, it has been proven that some people have a high sensitivity to salt. There’s no way to determine if you are one of these people other than taking all sodium out of your diet. The most salt that anyone should consume in one day is 5 grams, which is about half the amount that most people in the US ingest.

 Alcohol

 The connection between alcohol and high blood pressure has been well documented. People who suffer from hypertension should not consume more than two ounces of alcohol per day. If you go beyond that amount, you are asking for trouble.