The World Health Organization released a detailed report on high blood pressure, emphasizing the condition as a leading global risk factor for death and disability. Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide, often leading to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage. The report suggests that if all countries improve their hypertension treatment protocols to fall in line with high-performing nations, the efforts could prevent 76 million deaths, 120 million strokes, 79 million heart attacks, and 17 million cases of heart failure between now and 2050.
It’s actually kind of easy: Something as simple as lowering daily sodium intake can make all the difference. The Food and Drug Administration’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day. However, Americans eat an average of about 3,400 mg of sodium per day.