Non-Drug Treatment of Hypertension
- If your doctor approves, begin a program of regular exercise. A 2005 controlled trial published in the Journal of Applied Physiology evidenced that exercise is so effective in combating and even eradicating hypertension that a significant reduction in blood pressure can be seen within 24 hours of the first exercise session.
You don't have to start training for a marathon: the same 2005 study further proved that daily low- to moderate-impact exercise like walking or even gardening may be even more effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients than high-impact exercise.
Before you start any exercise regimen, be sure to consult your doctor. - The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has developed the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients in as little as 14 days.
More a lifestyle change than a diet, the DASH diet involves a reduction of sodium intake, an increase of potassium and high levels of fruit, vegetables and fish. For more information on the DASH diet, see the Resources below. - Even a small amount of weight loss can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure, affirming the strong link between weight and blood pressure. In a 2007 clinical trial at the University of Pavia, over half of the participants who lost just 5 percent of their body weight saw their blood pressure return to normal.