FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Complacency and lack of knowledge about prehypertension put U.S. adults at risk New survey reveals U.S. adults don't know enough about the risk factors and medical consequences of the condition NEW YORK CITY, June 9 – In spite of the serious risks associated with prehypertension, including heart attack and stroke, too many U.S. adults remain uninformed about the condition and its risk factors. A new survey, commissioned by Calpis Co., Ltd. and conducted by Harris Interactive®, reveals substantial knowledge gaps about prehypertension, which experts say is of serious and growing concern. A study published last year in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke found that prehypertension may actually triple the risk of heart attack. Nearly half (48%) of American adults either have misconceptions about what prehypertension is or say that they are unsure of what the condition is. That statistic is alarming, because 70 million people in the United States are estimated to have prehypertension as the condition is defined under guidelines issued in 2003 by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. "We're too complacent about blood pressure," warns Joel Neutel, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California-Irvine and a specialist in clinical hypertension for The American Society of Hypertension. "People should begin having their blood pressure checked routinely once they get into their 30s — or even their 20s if there is a strong family history of high blood pressure — and should talk with their doctors about steps to bring it under control if it is in the prehypertensive range. It's important not to wait until full-blown hypertension develops to take action." Unchecked prehypertension (slightly elevated blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89) develops into hypertension (blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher), which is estimated to directly cause about 50,000 deaths in the U.S. each year and to be a contributing factor in many more. Elevated blood pressure is an emerging epidemic in this country. According to the American Heart Association, about 50 million people have hypertension. In addition, a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that 70 million people have prehypertension. That means that about 40% of the U.S. population has either one condition or the other. Unfortunately, the new survey shows that many adults may be at risk for prehypertension without realizing it. An overwhelming 91 percent of American adults were unaware that oral contraceptives can increase the risk, while 81 percent were unaware that males are at a higher risk than females. In addition, 64 percent didn't know that age is a risk factor, 49 percent were unaware that obesity puts people at risk, and more than half (54%) mistakenly identified stress as a risk factor. The survey also demonstrates that many adults -- even those who have been touched by prehypertension -- fail to realize the seriousness of the condition. Thirty-seven percent of American adults were unaware that prehypertension can lead to high blood pressure, and 41 percent were unaware that it increases the risk of heart attack. Even among those who have been diagnosed with prehypertension or have a family member with the condition, awareness is less than ideal, with 28 percent unaware of the connection to high blood pressure and 23 percent unaware of the increased heart attack risk. Unlike hypertension, prehypertension is not generally treated with prescription medications. Important steps for people whose blood pressure is found to be in the prehypertensive range can include making dietary changes, increasing exercise, losing weight, and quitting smoking. Additionally, some patients may take a dietary supplement to help maintain healthy blood pressure. The new survey reveals strong interest in all-natural dietary supplements for maintaining healthy blood pressure among those who have prehypertension or have a family member with the condition. In fact, 80 percent of these adults say that they would be somewhat to very likely to take an all-natural dietary supplement to maintain healthy blood pressure. Americans are increasingly turning to dietary supplements to help them maintain their health. In fact, the National Institutes of Health estimates that more than half of adults aged 20 or over take supplements. But to get the most out of the products, it's important to choose wisely. “Consumers must be sure that they choose dietary supplements that have been rigorously tested,” according to Sheldon Saul Hendler, Ph.D., M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, principal aithor and co-editor of the PDR for Nutritional Supplements and renowned expert in the area of biochemistry and dietary supplements. “Dietary supplements that work provide physicians with a gentler tool they can recommend for their patients along with lifestyle changes to help maintain blood pressure at healthier levels.” One such product is AmealPeptide™, an all-natural dietary supplement derived from non-fat milk that has been shown in more than 10 clinical trials to help maintain healthier blood pressure without the side effects that may be associated with prescription drugs. About AmealPeptide® AmealPeptide® is an all-natural dietary supplement derived from nonfat milk. It consists of two peptides (VPP and IPP) that are naturally occurring substances also found in fermented dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. However, it is difficult to consume enough of these foods on a daily basis to obtain efficient blood pressure benefit.  Calpis uses proprietary technology to hydrolyze the milk protein casein to provide the two tripeptides VPP and IPP in clinically meaningful amounts. AmealPeptide® helps control biochemical reactions that cause the constriction of blood vessels. The reduced constriction helps blood to flow more freely, which in turn can help to keep blood pressure in a healthy range. About Calpis Co., Ltd. Calpis Co., Ltd. is at the forefront of scientific achievement in lactic-acid fermentation processing, and has secured its leading position in the global marketplace. The company was the first to isolate AmealPeptide® and the first to discover its usefulness in lowering blood pressure. Although Calpis is well known in Asia as a soft drink brand, in recent years its AmealPeptide®-based health drinks and dietary supplements have made their mark on the burgeoning functional foods market in Japan and the U.S. About the Survey This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Calpis Co., Ltd. among 2,326 adults (aged 18 and over) within the United States between May 19 and May 23, 2006. Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,326 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points. Sampling error for the sub-sample of those who have been diagnosed with pre-hypertension by a health care professional or have a family member who has (n= 563) is +/- 6 percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated. About Harris Interactive Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents: The Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com. To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit www.harrispollonline.com. < BACK TO MEDIA RELATIONS