Nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension

A variety of lifestyle modifications will lower both the blood pressure and various other cardiovascular risk factors that are frequently present in patients with hypertension. Numerous recent studies document the overall efficacy of some (weight reduction, sodium restriction, physical activity, moderation of alcohol) and the relative lack of effect of others (stress management and calcium, magnesium, and fish oil supplements). In particular, the Trials of Hypertension Prevention, Phase I (a control trial funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) provides important new data on the ability of these various modalities to prevent the development of hypertension, an equally or even more important goal than the reduction of already-established disease.