1 in 3 Adults Have High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol

A new report by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

And 80% of adults do not control their blood pressure or high cholesterol, despite having health insurance and access to low-cost treatment.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease. Every year 785,000 U.S. adults have their first heart attack, another 470,000 have their second (or more) heart attack; according to previous CDC data.

The new report, appearing in Vital Signs, also found 1 in 3 adults do not get treatment for high blood pressure; 1 in 2 adults do not have their blood pressure under control; 1 in 3 adults do not get treatment for high cholesterol; and 2 in 3 adults do not have their high cholesterol under control.

A spokesperson for the CDC says we are failing to prevent cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death in the U.S., more attention needs to be on prevention and better educating people.

LDL cholesterol - or "bad" cholesterol - should be less than 160 in otherwise healthy people. Blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80. The CDC says anything higher than 140 over 90 requires intervention.

Heart disease deaths vary from race to race. In 2004, CDC data revealed African Americans are more likely to die from heart disease (25.8% of deaths) than Hispanics and whites, with 22.7% and 27.5% respectively.

According to the American Heart Association, poor diet, high salt intake, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol use, and not taking prescribed medications are all risk factors for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

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Sugary Drinks Raise Blood Pressure

Sweetened beverages, like soda and fruit drinks, may increase your risk of high blood pressure, claims a new study.

Findings showed that every "extra" can of sugary soda consumed increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions warns that any drink containing high-fructose corn syrup, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, honey, sugar, syrup, corn syrup, sucrose, or dextrose is considered a "sugar-sweetened beverage."

Published in the journal Hypertension, researchers reviewed data on 2,696 volunteers, ages 40 to 59, from United States and Britain. And over three weeks, study participants were asked four times to report what they had eaten in the last 24 hours, give urine samples, and have their blood pressure checked.

Data revealed for every extra can of soda or sugary beverage drank each day, individuals had an average of 1.6 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure reading and an average of 0.8 mmHg higher diastolic reading. So the researchers recommend people limit soda consumption.

Additionally, the scientists found that people who consumed more sugary drinks typically had unhealthier diets; more calories and less fiber and minerals.

The American Heart Association encourages reduced intake of added sugar due to potential health risks, including high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

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