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 .
Controlled trial of aerobic exercise in hypertension.
To determine the antihypertensive efficacy of aerobic exercise training in mild essential hypertension , a prospect i ve r and omized controlled trial was conducted comparing an aerobic exercise regimen to a placebo exercise regimen , with a crossover replication of the aerobic regimen in the placebo exercise group . The study took place in an outpatient research clinic in a university-affiliated Veterans Administration medical center . Twenty-seven men with untreated diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) of 90 - 104 mm Hg were r and omized to the two exercise regimens . Ten patients completed the aerobic regimen .  Nine patients completed the control regimen , seven of whom subsequently entered and completed the aerobic regimen . The aerobic regimen consisted of walking , jogging , stationary bicycling , or any combination of these activities for 30 minutes , four times a week , at 65 - 80 % maximal heart rate . The control regimen consisted of slow calisthenics and stretching for the same duration and frequency but maintaining less than 60 % maximal heart rate . DBP decreased 9.6 + /- 4.7 mm Hg in the aerobic exercise group but increased 0.8 + /- 6.2 mm Hg in the placebo control exercise group ( p = 0.02 ) . Systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) decreased 6.4 + /- 9.1 mm Hg in the aerobic group and increased 0.9 + /- 9.7 mm Hg in the control group ( p = 0.11 ) . Subsequently , seven of the nine controls entered a treatment crossover and completed the aerobic regimen with significant reductions in both DBP ( -6.1 + /- 3.2 mm Hg , p less than 0.01 ) and SBP ( -8.1 + /- 5.7 mm Hg , p less than 0.01 ) . BP changes were not associated with any significant changes in weight , body fat , urinary electrolytes , or resting heart rate . This r and omized controlled trial provides evidence for the independent BP lowering effect of aerobic exercise in unmedicated mildly hypertensive men
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 .