FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 26, 1999
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Contact: NHLBI Communications Office
(301) 496-4236
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May Is National High Blood Pressure Education Month
NHLBI Urges Americans To Take Control of Their Hypertension
- Facts About the
DASH Diet*. DASH is an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables,
and lowfat dairy foods and lower in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol.
It has been shown to reduce high blood pressure. The fact sheet gives an
overview of the plan and a week of DASH menus.
- Heart healthy
recipes* from the NHLBI Stay Young At Heart Program, as well as
special Latino
and African
American recipe books.
- Controlling High
Blood Pressure: A Woman's Guide*, which tells how to lower high
blood pressure. A guide in Spanish*
also is available.
- (Facts About)
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure*. This fact sheet gives an overview
of hypertension.
- Special booklets series for African
Americans and Latinos
on how to prevent and control cardiovascular risk factors. The Latino series
is in Spanish and English.
- I.Q. Quizzes* about the Healthy
Heart and Physical
Activity.
These materials can be ordered from the NHLBI
Information Center, P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105. Single copies
of starred items listed above are free; others have a small charge. All are
available free at the special hypertension control web site.
Also, check out NHLBI's new Achieve
Your Healthy Weight web site. It can be accessed through the NHLBI home
page or the high blood pressure education month site. The site offers practical
information on weight loss, including heart healthy recipes, and tips on how
to make behavior changes, choose a weight loss program, and shop for low calorie
foods.
Finally, for recorded messages about high blood pressure prevention and control, call toll-free 1-800-575-WELL.
"May is an opportunity to make a new start on a healthier heart," said Dr. Edward Roccella, NHBPEP Coordinator. "The same lifestyle steps that control high blood pressure also may prevent it. So everyone in the family can take action together."
Roccella is available for comment about the National High Blood Pressure Education Month effort. To arrange an interview, contact the NHLBI Communications Office at (301) 496-4236.