Kids eat as much salt as adults and double their risk of hypertension

CHICAGO (AP) - American children eat the same amount of salt as adults, 1,000 milligrams in excess, ie the same amount that exists in only one Big Mac Extra salt is associated with increased blood pressure, even in children, but a government investigation in the United States points out that those who are overweight and obese may be most vulnerable to its effects.

The new findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English) were published Monday in the online version of the journal Pediatrics (Pediatrics). Previous studies have shown similar results in adults, but studies on salt, weight and blood pressure are rare in children.

The CDC researchers analyzed data on 6,200 children aged 8 to 18 who participated in national health surveys 2003-2008. Minors detailing asked twice for several days the foods they ate yesterday. The researchers estimated salt intake from their responses.

In total, 15% had high blood pressure called prehypertension or slightly elevated.

Those who ate more salt faced twice the risk of having high blood pressure, compared to those who ate less salty food. But among children obese or overweight, the risk tripled.

The recommended daily intake of salt or sodium for adults and children is no more than a tablespoon a day, or about 2,300 milligrams. On average, children in the study ate 3300 milligrams daily.

Quanhe Yang, a researcher at the CDC, said it is not clear why more weight children are more sensitive to salt, but may be due to hormonal changes related to obesity. The results raise concern because other studies have shown that elevated blood pressure in childhood, and even pre-hypertension, can lead to hypertension as adults and potentially premature heart disease.

Prehypertension and high blood pressure in people under 17 depend on the age, weight and gender.

In those over 18 years, levels between 120 over 80 and 140 over 90 is prehypertension, whereas 140 over 90 or higher is high blood pressure.

Broken heart ... more than a song

These quotes from novel sighs from time to time after a break loving years, swearing that we have broken the heart, may not be as exaggerated as they seem. A "heart partí'o" not only is the work of genius Alejandro Sanz or romantic cards, but something much more serious, especially for women. Scientists have confirmed that Broken Heart Syndrome has nothing to do with sentimentality, but with heart disease more common than we think.

When Juanita, one of my patients at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, he entered the emergency unit, it appeared that he was the victim of a heart attack. The chest pain and shortness of breath made him think. After all the tests there were no results for test it, because his arteries were perfect. However, an echocardiogram or ultrasound showed that his heart was contracting only a third of normal, as if asleep. At that time, I remembered that Juanita had lost the man who accompanied her for 50 years. Then I found the answer to what was happening.

In the United States is known as Broken Heart Syndrome while in reality his name is apical ballooning syndrome or as it is called in Japan, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, are very similar to those of a heart attack, but affects only the heart muscle and the coronary arteries.

Has nothing to do with risk factors for common cardiac conditions, but with stress, emotions and loss. According to studies, the condition is due to an increase of some hormones like adrenaline in times of stress. Not clog arteries like a heart attack, but the muscle suffers and is weakened too much.

It's so easy to confuse it with a heart attack, estimated that between 1 and 2 percent of those who are diagnosed as victims of one, actually they have is Broken Heart Syndrome.

Lack of awareness of this clinical phenomenon, but it is known that particularly affects post-menopausal women as love blossoms in spring, apparently, also the breaks, because between this season and summer, most often occur cases this disorder.

It pays to be clear that:

• In general, it is not a fatal condition.
• With medication and intensive care often heal.
• No sequelae.

To avoid misdiagnosis, it is vital to tell your doctor if you are going through a stressful emotional situation as a loss. Not so easy to rebuild a broken heart, but in these cases, with time, treatment and a new hope, always returns to beat.


Dr. Juan Jose Rivera
Renowned Cardiologist, Medical Adviser to Telemundo