Robust statistically significant effects were found for improved diet , aerobic exercise , alcohol and sodium restriction , and fish oil supplements : mean reductions in systolic blood pressure of 5.0 mmHg [ 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 3.1 - 7.0 ] , 4.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.0 - 7.1 ) , 3.8 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 1.4 - 6.1 ) , 3.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.5 - 4.6 ) and 2.3 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 0.2 - 4.3 ) , respectively , with corresponding reductions in diastolic blood pressure .
Relaxation significantly reduced blood pressure only when compared with non-intervention controls .
We found no robust evidence of any important effect on blood pressure of potassium , magnesium or calcium supplements .
Available evidence does not support relaxation therapies , calcium , magnesium or potassium supplements to reduce blood pressure
PURPOSE To quantify effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for hypertension .
Differential effects of exercise training intensity on blood pressure and cardiovascular responses to stress in borderline hypertensive humans
Background Psychologic stress has been associated with the development of hypertension .  Aerobic exercise training appears to decrease cardiovascular responses to psychologic stress . Objective To determine the efficacy of low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise training in reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular responses to stress . Design We sought to compare the cardiovascular responses to a psychologic stressor , the Stroop Color Word Task ( Stroop ) , before and after 12 weeks of low-intensity ( about 45 % maximal oxygen uptake ) and moderate-intensity ( about 75 % maximal oxygen uptake ) aerobic exercise training . Methods Eighteen borderline hypertensive subjects ( resting blood pressure 139 ± 9/92 ± 9 mmHg ) were divided r and omly into three groups : control ( no exercise ) , low-intensity exercise ( 40 - 50 % maximal oxygen uptake ) , and moderate-intensity exercise ( 70 - 80 % maximal oxygen uptake ) . Training groups exercised three times per week at the prescribed exercise intensity . Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded during the Stroop before , and after 4 and 8 weeks of exercise training . Results In the low-intensity exercise group , exercise training  attenuated mean blood pressure , systolic blood pressure , and diastolic blood pressure responses to the Stroop and decreased resting blood pressure . The moderate-intensity exercise group demonstrated a reduced diastolic blood pressure response to the Stroop . Conclusions These results suggest that , in borderline hypertensive humans , 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training attenuates the cardiovascular responses to the Stroop . Furthermore , low-intensity exercise training appears to a more effective stimulus than moderate-intensity exercise training in reducing resting blood pressure and blood pressure responses to stress
Robust statistically significant effects were found for improved diet , aerobic exercise , alcohol and sodium restriction , and fish oil supplements : mean reductions in systolic blood pressure of 5.0 mmHg [ 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 3.1 - 7.0 ] , 4.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.0 - 7.1 ) , 3.8 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 1.4 - 6.1 ) , 3.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.5 - 4.6 ) and 2.3 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 0.2 - 4.3 ) , respectively , with corresponding reductions in diastolic blood pressure .
Relaxation significantly reduced blood pressure only when compared with non-intervention controls .
We found no robust evidence of any important effect on blood pressure of potassium , magnesium or calcium supplements .
Available evidence does not support relaxation therapies , calcium , magnesium or potassium supplements to reduce blood pressure
PURPOSE To quantify effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for hypertension .