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 .
Blood pressure lowering in elderly subjects: a double-blind crossover study of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
In 46 elderly ( aged greater than or equal to 60 y ) hypertensive subjects with entry systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) greater than or equal to 160 or diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg , our specific aim in a r and omized , double-blind , crossover study ( two 8-wk treatment periods separated by a 3-wk washout ) was to compare blood pressure-lowering effects of 9 g fish oil/d [ omega-3 ( n-3 ) fatty acid ] vs 9 g corn oil/d [ omega-6 ( n-6 ) fatty acid ] . After a 4-wk baseline period , 22 subjects were r and omly assigned to receive fish oil and 24 to receive corn oil . For both 8-wk treatments there were no between-group differences in the change in blood pressure . There was a treatment difference for st and ing DBP when baseline values were compared with those after treatment 2 ; DBP decreased by 5.1 mm Hg in the fish-oil group vs 0.72 mm Hg in the corn-oil group ( P = 0.024 ) . Within groups during the first treatment , both fish oil and corn oil lowered all four blood pressure measures ( P less than 0.05 ) ; blood pressures were not further lowered during the second treatment compared with the washout period . There were no significant between-group differences in laboratory safety tests or categorical side effects .  Fish oil lowered triglycerides by 0.47 mmol/L ( P less than 0.001 ) . In elderly subjects , diet plus both omega-3 and omega-6 supplements ( 9 g/d ) safely and effectively lower SBP and DBP
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 .