Hypertension Lifestyle Treatment

Lifestye Changes. Adoption of healthy lifestyles by all persons is critical for the prevention of high blood pressure and is an indispensable part of the management of those with hypertension.

Major lifestyle modifications shown to lower blood pressure include weight reduction in those individuals who are overweight or obese, adoption of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan which is rich in potassium and calcium, dietary sodium reduction, physical activity, and moderation of alcohol consumption.

Lifestyle modifications reduce blood pressure, enhance antihypertensive drug efficacy, and decrease cardiovascular risk. For example, a 1,600 mg sodium DASH eating plan has effects similar to single drug therapy.25 Combinations of two (or more) lifestyle modifications can achieve even better results.

More information on lifestyle changes is available in the Prevention section.