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They've redefined "normal" blood pressure. They've raised the bar. It used to be anything under 140 / 90. Now you have to be below 120 / 80 to be "normal." Here are the new definitions -- including one we've never had before, "Prehypertension":
That was the bad news. But we can offset that with the following:
A Drink a Day Improves Overall Heart Health
Wed May 14, 5:22 PM ET Add Health - Reuters to My Yahoo!
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who drink one drink a day -- wine, beer or hard liquor -- show significantly better elasticity of their body's arteries, an important measure of cardiovascular health, results of a new study suggest. "We thought only red wine helps, but we found if people drink one beer or one unit of hard liquor a day, they also have improved arterial elasticity, better than nondrinkers," said Dr. Reuven Zimlichman of Wolfson Medical Center.
Wed May 14, 5:22 PM ET Add Health - Reuters to My Yahoo!
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who drink one drink a day -- wine, beer or hard liquor -- show significantly better elasticity of their body's arteries, an important measure of cardiovascular health, results of a new study suggest. "We thought only red wine helps, but we found if people drink one beer or one unit of hard liquor a day, they also have improved arterial elasticity, better than nondrinkers," said Dr. Reuven Zimlichman of Wolfson Medical Center.
In comparing wine drinkers with drinkers who favor other alcoholic beverages, the researchers observed that beer and hard liquor drinkers had slightly higher blood pressure than wine drinkers. But all drinkers had blood pressure within normal ranges, Zimlichman said.
Asked if this study means nondrinkers should start drinking, Zimlichman pointed out that heavy drinking itself can cause high blood pressure.
"Whenever you recommend drinking, you have to consider the possibility that somebody will like it too much and over-drink and cause damage to his health," he said. "But if someone has a high risk of cardiovascular disease, I recommend to my patients that they drink one glass of red wine a day."
The above is not meant to be medical advice. Please read the attached Disclaimer, Etc.
Best wishes. Dr. Rehert
Best wishes. Dr. Rehert
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