More and more Missourians suffer from high blood pressure, dramatically more. State health officials say the number of Missourians with hypertension rose by 25% since 1988. Now more than a quarter of the adult population suffers from high blood pressure, which puts people at risk for stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Michael Dietz with the health department says though high blood pressure is a serious problem, it’s one that can be addressed. Suggestions from the health department include more exercise, a low-salt diet that includes more fruits and vegetables, less alcohol and, if needed, medication. A national study shows 65-Million, or 30%, of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, compared to 50-Million reported in a 1995 study.
