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 .
Double-blind randomized, crossover trial of calcium supplementation in essential hypertension.
In a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled , crossover trial , 23 middle-aged patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were given an oral calcium supplement ( 1 g/day ) for 8 weeks . At the end of this period , eight patients continued with this treatment for an additional 2 weeks but were also given 0.5 micrograms/day of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 . In the 21 patients who completed the study , arterial pressure during the calcium-supplemented phase was almost identical to that of the placebo phase . In eight patients , mean arterial pressure ( MAP ) had changed by greater than 5 mmHg at the end of the calcium-supplemented period , compared with the end of the placebo phase ( six patients showed an increase in MAP and two a decrease ) . Changes in arterial pressure were unrelated to age , plasma ionized calcium , parathyroid hormone ( PTH ) , plasma renin activity ( PRA ) , plasma aldosterone , 24-h urinary calcium , sodium and potassium and were only weakly related to body weight . In the eight patients who continued with the treatment of calcium plus 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 after the 8-week study period , arterial pressure changed very little and not significantly . These results do not support the suggestion that calcium supplements lower arterial pressure in middle-aged subjects with mild to moderate essential hypertension
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 .