Lifestyle Intervention Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension: A Review

Abstract

Therapeutic BP-lowering lifestyle strategies, ideally practiced simultaneously, are indispensable in the clinical management of individuals diagnosed with either prehypertension or HTN (as an adjunct to medication) and for the prevention of new-onset HTN. Abstract: Hypertension (HTN) is an extraordinarily common progressive cardiovascular syndrome in the United States, afflicting approximately one third of the adult population. HTN is a powerful and unequivocal independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and renal failure. Despite major advances in the understanding and treatment of HTN over the past several decades, the disease remains the most common primary diagnosis in the United States and is a major public health concern. Adoption of healthy lifestyle modifications has proven to be highly effective in both the prevention of new-onset HTN and in the treatment of those diagnosed with HTN. In view of the continuing epidemic of HTN and blood pressure (BP)-related diseases and the invaluable role of applying nonpharmacological therapy in the prevention and management of HTN, a review of current therapeutic lifestyle strategies appears warranted. This review will define 6 well-established nonpharmacological lifestyle modifications for preventing and managing HTN in addition to 3 novel lifestyle interventions that show promise as effective adjunct strategies for lowering BP. A healthy lifestyle prescription ideally comprising a number of these BP-lowering lifestyle intervention strategies should be dispensed by all primary care physicians for both the prevention and treatment of elevated BP, an action that would have major, positive public health ramifications.

Lifestyle medicine course for family medicine residents: preliminary assessment of the impact on knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and personal health

“…A large number of studies show positive results for lifestyle interventions in the prevention or management of risk factors for diseases such as ischaemic heart disease,4 blood lipids,5 type 2 diabetes6 and hypertension 7. Thus, the basic clinical guidelines call for lifestyle changes as the first line in the prevention and treatment of most chronic diseases 8 9.…”

Impact of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Remission of Metabolic Syndrome, Prediabetes, Diabetes, and Hypertension in Adults Living with Obesity

“…Nowadays, it is estimated that around 10.5% of the world population is living with T2DM and 25% with MS, while the global incidence of HTA was estimated to be 33.1% in 2019 [3][4][5]. While lifestyle intervention programs have been shown to be efficient in preventing or delaying the onset of MS, T2DM, and HTA, the potential for reversal/remission of these CMRFs has received comparatively less attention in research [6][7][8]. In fact, the consensus regarding the concepts of remission, especially concerning impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and diabetes, is recent, and as of now, there is no universally accepted definition for the remission of HTA or MS, although several studies are beginning to focus on it [9].…”

Social Cognitive Theory-based Interventions on Healthy Lifestyles for Hypertensive Patients: A Systematic Review

“…The Eighth Joint National Committee proposes that an effective strategy for controlling BP for hypertensive patients includes adopting healthy lifestyles, suggesting PA and DA as the first line of treatment. In addition, DA and PA can reduce the need for pharmacological therapy, improve the effect of antihypertensive medicines, and lower overall cardiovascular risk (Bond Brill, 2011). Numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses offer evidence of the effects of DA and PA intervention on controlling BP and reducing cardiovascular risk among hypertensive patients.…”