In a nutshell
This study evaluated the persistence of the effects on blood pressure brought about by lifestyle changes.
Some background
Lifestyle changes are important for preventing and treating high blood pressure (hypertension or HTN). A healthy lifestyle includes weight management (WM), exercising regularly, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing sodium (salt) intake, and increasing potassium, calcium and magnesium intake. This is referred to as Dietary Approaches to Stop HTN (DASH) diet. Together with WM programs, DASH has been proven to help improve blood pressure status. This study evaluated whether the effects of the DASH and WM programs on blood pressure persist over time.
Methods & findings
The study included 144 overweight individuals with high blood pressure who did not receive HTN medications. The participants were randomly assigned to various intervention groups: 46 patients to DASH alone (DASH-A), 49 patients to DASH-WM program and 49 patients to Usual Care (patients maintained their eating and exercise habits during the study period). These treatment interventions were carried out for 16 weeks. The main parameters evaluated were systolic blood pressure or SBP (pressure in the arteries when the heart beats) and diastolic blood pressure or DBP (pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle is resting between beats).
After 16 weeks of follow up, SBP was reduced by 16.1 mmHg in the DASH-WM group, compared to 11.2 mmHg in the DASH-A group, and 3.4 mmHg in the Usual Care group. Similarly, DBP was reduced by 9.9 mmHg in the DASH-WM group, 7.5 mmHg in the DASH-A group and 3.8 mmHg in the Usual Care group. 8 months later, there was a similar trend of blood pressure reduction, with a decrease in SBP of 11.7 mmHg in the DASH-WM group, 9.5 mmHg in the DASH-A group, and 3.9 mmHg in the Usual Care group. Additionally, patients in the DASH-WM group had lost an average of 8.7 kg of weight as compared to those in the DASH-A group who had lost 0.3 kg and patients in the Usual Care group who had gained 0.9 kg.
The bottom line
In summary, this study showed that the effects of lifestyle changes on blood pressure were persistent even after the completion of the program.
The fine print
The study involved a small number of patients and a short follow up period. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
What’s next?
Consult with your physician regarding lifestyle and dietary changes that may assist in reducing your blood pressure.
Published By :
American journal of hypertension
Date :
Oct 01, 2013
