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 .
Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension Study (PATHS). Rationale and design.
Alcohol consumption has been recognized as an important correlate of blood pressure in many epidemiologic studies , but few interventional studies have been conducted to examine the effect of a reduction in alcohol intake on blood pressure . Because these studies have usually included few subjects and been of short duration , the National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute ( NHLBI ) , the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism ( NIAAA ) , and the Veterans Affairs ( VA ) Cooperative Studies Program have initiated a r and omized , controlled , multicenter trial to determine whether blood pressure and left ventricular mass are lowered over 6 months of alcohol moderation in non-dependent moderate to heavy drinkers ( three or more drinks per day average but not alcohol dependent ) with above-average normal ( 80 to 89 mm Hg ) and mildly hypertensive ( 90 to 99 mm Hg ) levels of diastolic blood pressure , and whether a reduction in alcohol intake can be maintained for 2 years . Eligible veterans are r and omized to either an alcohol reduction intervention or a control observation group at seven clinical sites . The projected sample size is 580 participants .  Alcohol intake is assessed by self-report using a retrospective diary ( Chronological Drinking Record ) and by various biochemical markers , including apolipoproteins , HDL cholesterol ( and subfractions ) , and carbohydrate deficient transferrin , analyzed at a central laboratory . The alcohol intervention technique is a cognitive-behavioral program , the intensive phase of which consists of six counseling sessions over 3 months . Echocardiograms are obtained at baseline and 6 months after r and omization . This trial has important implication s for both the prevention and treatment of 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 .