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Nonpharmacologic strategies for managing hypertension
1Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. randy.wexler@osumc.edu
American Family Physician
|June 15, 2006
Summary
Lifestyle changes like reducing sodium, exercising regularly, and healthy eating are recommended for managing high blood pressure (hypertension). Evidence for alternative supplements in treating hypertension is currently lacking.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant public health concern.
- The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) provides guidelines for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the lifestyle modification recommendations for hypertension and prehypertension from the JNC 7 report.
- To address the proposed alternative treatments for hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Review of the JNC 7 guidelines on lifestyle interventions.
- Assessment of current evidence for alternative therapies in hypertension management.
Main Results:
- Key lifestyle modifications include dietary sodium restriction (<2.4 g/day), increased physical activity (≥30 min/day, 4 days/week), limited alcohol intake, adherence to the DASH eating plan, and weight loss (≥10 lb).
- Evidence supporting the effectiveness of alternative treatments like vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids for hypertension is currently lacking.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive lifestyle modifications are the cornerstone of hypertension and prehypertension management.
- Further rigorous research is needed to establish the efficacy of alternative therapies for blood pressure control.
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