More Effort Needed To Control Hypertension

Although high blood pressure contributes to one death in every six adults in the US, it is not being adequately addressed. A new report from the respected Institute of Medicine suggests that both physicians and patients should be making more effort to control hypertension. Many people with hypertension do not follow the guidelines for diet and exercise that can lower blood pressure. The Institute report called for population-wide actions that would make it easier for people to cut salt, eat more vegetables, lose weight, and be more active. Drugs can also control blood pressure, and the report recommends that Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers cut co-pays for generic anti-hypertension drugs.