LIFE-STYLE AS A BLOOD-PRESSURE DETERMINANT

In Belgium, an affluent Western European country, participation in spo rts, alcohol intake, and living in a working class area were identifie d as the life style factors with the closest associations with the blo od pressure level. Obesity was another important blood pressure correl ate. Sodium intake, determined from the 24 h urinary output, and smoki ng were not associated with blood pressure. Controlled intervention st udies have proven that weight reduction, endurance training and alcoho l abstinence effectively reduce blood pressure. In the light of these intervention studies, the Belgian findings and the published work high light the potential of preventive strategies aimed at these major life style factors.