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 .
Relaxation therapy and continuous ambulatory blood pressure in mild hypertension: a controlled study.
OBJECTIVE --To determine the long term effects of relaxation therapy on 24 hour ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure in patients with mild untreated and uncomplicated hypertension . DESIGN --Four week screening period followed by r and omisation to receive either relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling for one year . Ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure was measured before and after treatment . SETTING --Outpatient clinic in Amsterdam 's university hospital . SUBJECTS--35 Subjects aged 20 - 60 who were being treated by general practitioners for hypertension but were referred to take part in the study . At three consecutive screening visits all subjects had a diastolic blood pressure without treatment of 95 - 110 mm Hg . Subjects were excluded if they had damaged target organs , secondary hypertension , diabetes mellitus , a cholesterol concentration greater than 8 mmol/l , or a history of malignant hypertension . INTERVENTIONS --The group allocated to relaxation therapy was trained for eight weeks ( one hour a week ) in muscle relaxation , yoga exercises , and stress management and continued exercising twice daily for one year with monthly visits to the clinic . The control group had the same attendance schedule but had no training and were requested just to sit and relax twice a day . All subjects were asked not to change their diet or physical activity . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE -- Changes in ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure after one year of relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling . RESULTS --Mean urinary sodium excretion , serum concentration of cholesterol , and body weight did not change in either group . Diastolic pressures measured by sphygmomanometry were 2 and 3 mm Hg lower in subjects in the relaxation group and control group respectively at the one year follow up compared with initial readings . The mean diastolic ambulatory intra-arterial pressure during the daytime had not changed after one year in either group , but small treatment effects could not be excluded : the mean change for the relaxation group was -1 mm Hg ( 95 % confidence interval -6 to 3.9 mm Hg ) and for the control group -0.4 mm Hg ( -5.3 to 4.6 mm Hg ) . Mean ambulatory pressure in the evening also had not changed over the year , and in both groups nighttime pressure was 5 mm Hg higher . The variability in blood pressure was the same at both measurements . CONCLUSIONS --Relaxation therapy was an ineffective method of lowering 24 hour blood pressure , being no more beneficial than non-specific advice , support , and reassurance -- themselves ineffective as a treatment for 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 .