ctive effects of blood pressure, degree of secondary organ damage, patient age, and independent risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Nutrition is one such independent risk factor, and sodium intake is especially significant in this context (Theis, 1988, p. 94). A reduced sodium intake, thus, is an essential part of a sound nutritional program for an elderly person.
Blood pressure levels are influenced by multiple physiological and psychological factors (Weber and DiPette, 1987, p. 30). It has been found that variations in an individual's blood pressure levels occur throughout both waking and sleeping hours (Weber and DiPette, 1987, p. 34). Further, it has been found that these variations are both significant and unpredictable. Blood pressure levels are affected by body weight, and body weight is affe
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