Lifestyle Interventions Cut Need for Antihypertensives Within Months

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

Overweight adults with hypertension can reduce their need for antihypertensive drugs within 4 months through diet and exercise, according to a study presented on Saturday at the American Heart Association's Joint Hypertension 2018 Scientific Sessions.

Roughly 130 overweight or obese adults who had blood pressures of 130–160/80–99 mm Hg and were not receiving antihypertensive medications were randomized to follow the DASH diet plus a weight management program (including behavioral counseling and supervised exercise), the DASH diet alone, or usual care.

By 16 weeks, blood pressure dropped by 16/10 mm Hg with the DASH diet plus weight management, by 11/8 mm Hg with DASH alone, and by 3/4 mm Hg with usual care. Additionally, the proportion who needed antihypertensive medication, as recommended by 2017 guidelines, declined from 54% to 15% with DASH plus weight management and from 51% to 23% with DASH alone, with no significant change in the usual care group.