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 .
What types of hypertensives respond better to mild exercise therapy?
Twenty-one patients with essential hypertension were treated with aerobic ( lactate threshold ) exercise ( n = 21 ) and the change in blood pressure was compared with that in a non-exercising hypertensive control group ( n = 10 ) . After 10 weeks of exercise therapy blood pressure in the exercise group was significantly reduced , from 154 ± 3/100 ± 2 to 141 ± 3/93 ± 3 mmHg , and there was a significant reduction in plasma volume , cardiac index and plasma noradrenaline whereas there were no changes in the non-exercise group . Responders ( 10 mmHg or more fall in mean blood pressure ) in the exercise group had a significantly higher cardiac index , serum Na : K ratio and lower total peripheral resistance in pretraining studies than non-responders . In conclusion , exercise at lactate threshold is effective in lowering blood pressure in those mild hypertensives with higher cardiac index and serum Na : K ratio
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 .