[Significance of a life style change in arterial hypertension]

Changes in lifestyle represent a rational, promising and low side effect means of lowering the blood pressure and reducing the cardiovascular risk in many hypertensives. The first measure in all over-weight hypertensives is weight reduction. Even when the ideal weight is not reached, this measure leads to a lasting decrease in blood pressure. Beyond a threshold of 30 mg alcohol per day in men (approximately three glasses of beer or two glasses of wine) and 20 mg alcohol per day in women, the consumption of alcohol leads to an increase in blood pressure. Although only some hypertensives respond to a restriction of salt, all hypertensives should limit their salt intake to 5 to 6 g daily. Endurance training is an important pillar of lifestyle change. That relaxation techniques lower blood pressure has not been confirmed by the results of relevant studies. What has been confirmed, however, is the benefit of extensive changes in lifestyle, including information on health, daily endurance training, healthy eating habits and reduction of alcohol intake.