DASH plan reduces high blood pressure.

• Position: Diet - Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure lowers the threshold of normal readings by establishing a new category--prehypertensive--for individuals with a systolic BP of 120-139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP of 80-89 mm Hg. The report recommends prehypertensives, who are at risk for developing high blood pressure--a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes--should adopt lifestyle changes to lower their blood pressure. For the 50,000,000 Americans with hypertension, healthy lifestyles are a critical and indispensable part of their treatment. Adoption of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH) eating plan, which is rich in lowfat dairy foods, fruits, and vegetables, has effects similar to single drug therapy in reducing the risk factors and by lowering blood pressure.

Recommended lifestyle modifications include losing weight, limiting alcohol and dietary sodium, and exercising more. The report also notes that implementing lifestyle changes can improve the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs. "We calculate that if the American...