The effects of nonpharmacologic interventions on blood pressure of persons with high normal levels: results of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention, phase I
Article Abstract:
Patients who have high normal blood pressure may reduce their blood pressure by losing weight or reducing their sodium intake. A total of 2,182 individuals between 30 and 54 years old with high normal blood pressure were divided into three lifestyle change groups or four nutritional supplement groups. Lifestyle changes were weight reduction, sodium intake reduction or stress management. The nutritional supplements were calcium, magnesium, potassium or fish oil. Individuals in lifestyle change groups and a control group of untreated individuals were followed for 18 months. Those in the nutritional supplements group and a control group treated with placebo, an inactive substance, were followed for six months. Weight reduction and sodium reduction caused the biggest drop in blood pressure. The average weight loss was 3.9 kilograms, which caused an average drop of 2.3 in diastolic blood pressure and 2.9 in systolic blood pressure. Sodium reduction caused a smaller decrease in blood pressure. Stress management and nutritional supplements did not reduce blood pressure consistently.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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Treatment of mild hypertension: the more things change..
Article Abstract:
Treatment with antihypertensive drugs may prevent the development of life-threatening disorders in patients with mild hypertension. Hypertension is persistent high blood pressure. A research study found that a combination of antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle modification was more effective for the treatment of mild hypertension than lifestyle modification alone. Lifestyle modification included losing weight, reducing salt intake, decreasing alcohol intake and aerobic exercise. The patients were treated with a wide variety of antihypertensive drugs. The effectiveness of the different types of drugs was equivalent except for the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The drugs caused few adverse reactions and did not reduce the patients' quality of life. The alpha-1-adrenergic blocker was more effective in regulating lipid and glucose levels than the other drugs. Both drug therapy and lifestyle modification were effective in reducing the mass of the left ventricle of the heart.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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