Efectivity of lifestyle changes on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients

Introduction: Changes in lifestyle have demonstrated being effective for blood pressure control. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of reducing salt consumption on blood pressure control in a setting of hypertensive patients. Moreover, it intends to show the quality of diet and assess the adherence to diet and physical activity recommendations.

Material and Methods: Cuasiexperimental non controlled study. We randomly selected some hypertensive patients who took part in a structured interview to find out about their dietary habits, salt consumption and physical activity. We determined anthropometric variables and blood pressure. We gave them written recommendations concerning their diet and physical activity. Subjects were re-evaluated thirty days later. 

Results: 30 subjects (17 females and 13 males), mean age 65.3 ±12.1 years old. 73.3% reported being on a low-salt diet. Quality of diet showed the majority of subjects were sedentary and needed changes in their diet. Body mass index was 28.3±4.8 Kg/m2. Systolic blood pressure was 139.1±18.9 mmHg and diastolic 81.8±10.1 mmHg. 

Second visit did not show changes in quality of diet or physical activity, although there was a reduction in salt consumption (p=0,028). Mean systolic blood pressure was 133.3±16.2 mmHg and diastolic 77.8±11.2 mmHg (p=0,04 in systolic and p=0,01 in diastolic).

Conclusions: Reduction in salt consumption was associated in a significant statistical manner to a reduction in blood pressure values. Quality of diet in our sample was suboptimal and adherence to lifestyle recommendations was low.