Importance of Lifestyle Modifications During the Treatment of Hypertension

nese Society of Hypertension for the management of hypertension in Japan (JSH 2004) calls for lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, adopting the DASH eating plan (a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods with reduced contents of saturated and total fat), dietary sodium reduction, physical activity and moderation of alcohol consumption, as the initial approach to therapy1. If the blood pressure (BP) goal is not achieved by lifestyle modification, pharmacological treatment should be used as a second therapy. To optimize dosages or add additional drugs is recommended until the BP goal is achieved. JSH 2004 also notices that excess intake of salt and alcohol and obesity are factors in uncontrolled hypertension and lifestyle should be modified in cases whose BP is not controlled after the treatment with more than 3 antihypertensive drugs. However, lifestyle modification should be continued even before and during the treatment of hypertension. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors relating to uncontrolled hypertension in pharmacological therapy before optimizing dosages or adding additional drugs.