Why the study?
Do non-pharmacological methods reduce the use of antihypertensive drugs in primary care patients with hypertension?
Do non-pharmacological methods reduce the use of antihypertensive drugs in primary care patients with hypertension?
Implementation of non-pharmacological lifestyle interventions in primary care can significantly reduce the requirement for antihypertensive medications.
May support lifestyle interventions to minimize antihypertensive prescriptions in primary care; leaves open confirmation of causality and outcomes in trials.
In a primary-care based study, 122 patients who were taking antihypertensive drugs took part in a two-year trial that aimed at establishing the feasibility of non-pharmacological methods in the treatment of hypertension in general practice. The patients could choose from among 14 non-pharmacological methods of blood pressure reduction. Increased physical exercise; weight reduction, low-sodium and low-fat diet, relaxation training, and home-monitoring of blood pressure were the most popular methods. The use of anti-hypertensive drugs was reduced by 55% in the participants, with the defined daily dose (DDD) being lowered from 1.18 to 0.55 (P less than 0.001). At the end of the study, 46% of the participants were free from anti-hypertensive drugs. Significant reductions occurred in body mass index (27.1 to 26.4 kg/m2, P = 0.001) and serum cholesterol (6.89 to 6.48 mmol/l, P less than 0.001). According to some measures used, the study group's experience of "quality of life" was not reduced.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Birger Gran (1991) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: