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 .
Feasibility of a long-term low-sodium diet in mild hypertension.
The present study set out to assess the feasibility of long-term moderate dietary sodium restriction in patients with mild hypertension in general practice . After screening and a run-in phase of 6 - 8 weeks , a total of 77 previously undiagnosed mildly hypertensive patients were identified . Half of them were r and omized to receive a few simple dietary instructions from their general practitioners in order to reduce salt usage ; the others were r and omized to receive no advice . The patients were followed up for 12 months with quarterly visits . A total of 56 patients ( 72.7 % ) completed the study , 26 on a low-sodium diet ( LD ) and 30 on their usual diet ( UD ) . At each visit in the diet phase , patients provided 24h urine , which was analysed for volume and sodium concentration in order to assess their sodium intake . Blood pressure , heart the rate and body weight were recorded . The mean urinary sodium excretion for all diet phase visits overlapped in the two groups ( 177.0 + /- 32.9 vs. 169.3 + /- 49.4 mEq/24h respectively in the LD and UD groups ) . Nevertheless the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures for all diet phase visits were significantly lower in the LD than in UD group ( 144.2 + /- 11.1/91.6 + /- 6.4 and 148.0 + /- 13.7/95.6 + /- 4.7 mmHg respectively , P less than 0.01 ) . Our data suggest that it is not feasible at present to reduce sodium intake in mild hypertensives with simple and inexpensive dietary instructions , the only ones suitable for widespread application in general practice
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 .