Subgroup analyses showed smaller sample s reporting larger effect sizes ; intervention lasting less than 6 months showed larger effect sizes and intention-to-treat analysis showed smaller effect sizes Lifestyle interventions may be of value in preventing and reducing blood pressure in LMICs .
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the effectiveness of antihypertensive medication , hypertension remains poorly controlled in low and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .
[A strategic family medicine model for controlling borderline and mild arterial hypertension].
OBJECTIVE To research on the relationship of the patient and his/her family as a non-pharmacological factor for  blood hypertension .  To determine whether a hyposodic , hypocaloric , hypofat , and hypocholesterolemic diet decreases the blood tension . To determine whether physical exercises in the patient and his/her family help to reduce the hypertension . To observe whether the psychological therapy of muscles relaxation helps to reduce the hypertension . To evaluate in the sample of families , the experience of each member , as well as their suggestions and complaints about the programme . To design the strategic model to control the blood tension by ambulatory means . DESIGN Controlled intervention study , descriptive , non-r and omized , prospect i ve . PLACEMENT : Primary care . PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS Study group of 10 patients , 10 wives , and 12 children , and control group of 10 patients excluding family members . INTERVENTIONS With both groups ( study and control ) there were meetings every 15 days for 6 months according to an established schedule . In the meetings there were given talks , pamphlets , physical exercises , muscles relaxation therapy , all about blood hypertension . There were question naires before and after each activity . MEASURING AND MAIN RESULTS : In both groups ( study and control ) there was a statistically significant ( t < 0.01 ) reduction in the weight . The blood systolic tension decreased in both positions , seated and st and ing , in the study group ( difference statistically significant ) but not so in the control group , although there was a non-significant difference ( decrease of 1.5 mmHg ) in the seated position . The diastolic tension decreased significantly in the study group both in seated and st and ing positions , not so in the control group . CONCLUSIONS The study sample showed that systolic tension seated and st and ing had a statistically significant reduction in the study group but not so in the control group . The weight had statistically significant reduction in both study and control groups . Total cholesterol had statistically significant decrease in the study group but not in the control group . HDL-C had statistically significant reduction in the study group ; in the control group there was a decrease but not statistically significant . The triglycerides did not decrease statistically significant in any of the groups ( study and control )
Subgroup analyses showed smaller sample s reporting larger effect sizes ; intervention lasting less than 6 months showed larger effect sizes and intention-to-treat analysis showed smaller effect sizes Lifestyle interventions may be of value in preventing and reducing blood pressure in LMICs .
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the effectiveness of antihypertensive medication , hypertension remains poorly controlled in low and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .