Hypertension

To decrease risk of hypertension, we're commonly advised to limit sodium (salt). Increasing dietary intake of potassium is just as important.

Nearly one in eight US adults may have "masked" hypertension, says new research in American Journal of Epidemiology. Thats high blood pressure not found during checkups. It raises risk of stroke and premature death.

There's a lot to like about spuds. They're super-versatile, satisfying, affordable and store well. Yet, there's concern this dietary staple may be bad for your blood sugar, heart and weight.

Q. Will apple cider vinegar really improve blood pressure?

A diet proven to protect against high blood pressure could also lower your risk of chronic kidney disease, according to a new observational study.

An important nutrient for reaching old age free of disease and disability might surprise you. According to a new Australian study, it's dietary fiber - a nutrient that, by definition, you don't even digest. In its path through your body, however, fiber is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

If you're worried about high blood pressure, a new systematic review of scientific evidence has good news: Changing your diet really can make a difference. Not surprisingly, the most effective diet for reducing hypertension was one designed specifically for that purpose - the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan. But other interventions, including cutting salt and calories, also were associated with blood-pressure benefits.

The popular notion - reflected in doctors' advice and clinical guidelines - that caffeine can cause your heart to "skip a beat" is probably wrong. A new study, the first of its kind to actually monitor participants' hearts over a 24-hour span, concludes that frequent caffeine consumption is not associated with premature heart contractions or disturbances of the hearts electrical rhythm.

Eating eggs occasionally probably wont raise your risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure. That's the latest good news for egg lovers from a Swedish study following two large groups of men and women for 13 years.

If youre worried about getting too much sodium from salt in your diet, a new globe-spanning study reports you should have company among 99% of the worlds population. Daily sodium consumption in the 66 countries studied averaged 3,950 milligrams-nearly twice the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). That excess sodium intake, researchers estimated, contributes to about 1.65 million deaths a year worldwide from cardiovascular causes.