32
Blood Pressure Management
Table 12. Lifestyle and Stress Reduction Interventions to Lower
Blood Pressure
Intervention Target/Biomarker
Weight loss Body weight or BMI
Heart-healthy diet DASH eating pattern
Reduced intake of sodium Dietary sodium intake; 24-hour urinary sodium
Use of salt substitute Replace cooking/table salt (100% sodium chloride)
with salt substitute (25%–30% potassium chloride,
65%–75% sodium chloride, and 0%–10% flavoring
agents); 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium
Enhanced intake of potassium Dietary potassium intake; 24-hour urinary potassium
Reduced alcohol intake Alcohol consumption
Exercise Aerobic exercise
Dynamic resistance
Isometric resistance
Meditation Transcendental meditation
Breathing control Slowing respiration
* Because inclusion/exclusion criteria and comparator groups vary across interventions, these
values should not be compared directly to indicate comparative effectiveness.
BMI indicates body mass index; and DASH, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
