Lifestyle and dietary management of hypertension

What it is

Lifestyle modification is the non-pharmacological half of hypertension management, and DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Lifestyle modifications addressing diet, physical activity, and weight are important in the treatment of hypertension, particularly for African-American and Hispanic patients. Each modification has an approximate SBP reduction:

• Weight reduction, maintaining normal body weight (body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m2): 5-20 mm Hg per 10 kg
• Adopt DASH eating plan, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products with a reduced content of saturated and total fat: 8-14 mm Hg
• Dietary sodium reduction, to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride): 2-8 mm Hg
• Physical activity, regular aerobic activity such as brisk walking: 4-9 mm Hg
• Moderation of alcohol consumption: 2-4 mm Hg

The physical activity is regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking, at least 30 min per day, most days of the week. The alcohol moderation is no more than 2 drinks per day in most men, for example 24 oz beer, 10 oz wine, or 3 oz 80-proof whiskey, and no more than 1 drink per day in women and lighter weight persons. For overall cardiovascular risk reduction, stop smoking. The effects of these modifications are dose and time dependent, and could be greater for some individuals.