This form of
treatment is indicated for all patients with
hypertension. Patient may be able to control his hypertension on this treatment alone but it is by no way is alternative to drug treatment. Remember, hypertension is a life long disorder and you just can control it either by
measures described below or in addition with the help of drugs but curing hypertension is not possible except for few patients with secondary hypertension.
These are the suitable measures and must be adhered by all hypertensives.
1. Lifestyle measures aimed at controlling hypertension should be recommended in all cases.
2. Overweight and obese hypertensive patients (BMI >=25.0) should be encouraged to lose weight. Ensure the goals should be realistic.
3. Alcohol intake should be reduced, when it exceeds 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women.
4. Sodium intake should be reduced towards a target of <5 g/day. Eliminate use of table salt, reduce amount of salt used in food preparation and avoid foods which have a high salt content.
5. Fruit and vegetable
consumption should be increased to five portions/day.
6. Total and saturated fat consumption reduced.
7. Increase physical activity by taking
regular exercise.
8. All patients should be actively discouraged from smoking.
9. Take regular exercise.