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Nonpharmacologic therapy for hypertension: Does it really work?

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Abstract

Nondrug therapy of hypertension really does work but requires strong motivation by both patient and physician. In addition to global health benefits, prescription of weight loss, exercise, moderation of salt and alcohol intake, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, and tobacco avoidance can decrease the risk for normotensive and prehypertensive patients of developing fixed hypertension. Initiating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may be sufficient to avoid pharmacologic therapy for some patients and is a valuable adjunct to drug therapy for most. Blood pressure lowering can be achieved by weight reduction (5-20 mm Hg/10 kg), DASH eating plan (8-14 mm Hg), dietary sodium reduction (2-8 mm Hg), increased physical activity (4-9 mm Hg), and moderation of alcohol consumption (2-4 mm Hg). Combination of two or more modalities may have an additive benefit. Cessation of tobacco abuse not only has global health benefits, but may reduce blood pressure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Miami OPPRP (D-54), PO Box 016960, 33101, Miami, FL, USA

    Barry J. Materson MD, MBA

Authors
  1. Thor Tejada MD
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  2. Alessia Fornoni MD, PhD
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  3. Oliver Lenz MD
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  4. Barry J. Materson MD, MBA
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Correspondence to Barry J. Materson MD, MBA.

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Tejada, T., Fornoni, A., Lenz, O. et al. Nonpharmacologic therapy for hypertension: Does it really work?. Current Cardiology Reports 8, 418–424 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-006-0099-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-006-0099-6

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