A change in diet may help patients with treatment-resistant high blood pressure. According to a new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, adopting the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan could successfully reduce blood pressure in those who have not had progress through other treatments.
Those who had the most success followed the DASH diet and changed some other behaviors. The participants also lost weight and improved their aerobic fitness.
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Treatment-resistant high blood pressure is when high blood pressure (130/80 mm Hg or higher) is not lowering despite the use of three or more medications, including diuretics. This condition is known to affect approximately 5% of the general population and may affect 20% to 30% of adults with high blood pressure. Resistant high blood pressure can cause a 50% greater risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and death.
Lifestyle Modifications
This new study titled Treating Resistant Hypertension Using Lifestyle Modification to Promote Health (TRIUMPH) is the first to outline the relationship between lifestyle modifications and resistant hypertension.
Over four months, the trial included 140 adults with resistant hypertension who had an average age of 63. They were randomly divided into two groups.
The first group received weekly dietary counseling and exercise training in an intensive cardiac rehabilitation setting three times a week. The second group had a single informal session from a health educator along with written guidelines on exercise, weight loss, and nutritional goals for participants to follow on their own.
It was found that overall, participants in the supervised program had an approximate 12-point drop in systolic blood pressure compared to 7 points in the self-guided group.
Through 24-hour monitoring, it was revealed that during a typical day, those in the supervised lifestyle program had a 7-point reduction in systolic blood pressure while the self-guided group had no change in blood pressure.
Participants in the supervised program also had greater improvements in heart health, suggesting that they have a lower risk of cardiovascular events in the future.
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“Our findings showed lifestyle modifications among people with resistant hypertension can help them successfully lose weight and increase their physical activity, and as a result, lower blood pressure and potentially reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke,” concluded James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., first and senior author of the study
“While some people can make lifestyle changes on their own, a structured program of supervised exercise and dietary modifications conducted by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals in cardiac rehabilitation programs is likely more effective.”
This study adds to the mounting evidence that suggests diet and exercise are well-established treatments for high blood pressure. In June 2021, the American Heart Association released advice stating that physical activity should be the first treatment choice for adults with mild to moderately elevated blood pressure and cholesterol.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
