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 .
Effects of alcohol and caloric restrictions on blood pressure and serum lipids in overweight men.
We have examined the independent and combined effects on blood pressure and blood lipids of alcohol restriction and weight loss in overweight male drinkers with a view to assessing overall effects on cardiovascular risk of two widely promoted nonpharmacological approaches for hypertension . Eighty-six men with a mean age of 44.3 years , a mean regular alcohol intake of 440 ml/wk ( five or six st and ard drinks per day ) , a mean blood pressure of 137.4 mm Hg systolic and 84.8 mm Hg diastolic , and a mean body mass of 92.5 kg entered a controlled two-way factorial study . The subjects were r and omly assigned to four groups for an 18-week intervention in which members of two groups drank only low-alcohol beer , thereby reducing their alcohol intake  by 374 ml/wk , while those of the other two groups continued their normal alcohol intake . Within the low and normal alcohol intake groups subjects either continued their usual diet or reduced their caloric intake by 4,200 - 6,300 kJ/day ( 1,000 - 1,500 kcal/day ) ( with protein , fat , and carbohydrate provided as 15 % , 30 % , and 55 % of total calories , respectively ) . Calorie reduction and alcohol restriction caused weight losses of 7.5 ( p less than 0.001 ) and 2.1 ( p less than 0.01 ) kg , respectively . Calorie reduction and alcohol restriction were associated with decreases in systolic blood pressure of 5.4 ( p less than 0.001 ) and 4.8 ( p less than 0.01 ) mm Hg , respectively , and in diastolic blood pressure of 4.2 ( p less than 0.001 ) and 3.3 ( p less than 0.01 ) mm Hg , respectively . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
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 .