Más allá del sodio: cambios en la dieta y su efecto en hipertensión

Abstract

Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor and its prevalence increases with age. Given the rising life expectancy in Chile, the prevention of hypertension is a priority for public health policies. Non pharmacological therapies, such as life style and diet changes are especially important. In addition to sodium restriction, several clinical studies have shown that other dietary interventions, such as an increased fruit and vegetable content of diet, higher intake of potassium and magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, decreased intake of sucrose, fructose, caffeine and alcohol, lead to better control of hypertension. Given de high prevalence of hypertension in Chile (26.9% overall) better information about the benefits of diet changes might be very important in order to help prevent and delay the appearance of hypertension. Appropriate public educational policies should be implemented by the sanitary authorities