Table III.

Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent and Manage Hypertension

Modification	Recommendation	≅SBP Reduction (mm Hg)
Weight reduction	Achieve and maintain normal body weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2).  For example:  Decrease portion sizes for meals, snacks  Reduce portion sizes or frequency of consumption of high‐calorie beverages  Reduce energy intake by 500 kcal/d	5–20/10 kg
Adopt DASH eating plan	Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low‐fat dairy products with a reduced content of saturated and total fat	8–14
Dietary sodium reduction	Reduce dietary sodium intake to =100 mmol/d (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride). High sodium intake is especially deleterious in overweight individuals	2–8
Physical activity	Engage in regular aerobic physical activities that raise the heart rate, such as brisk walking (=30 min/d, most days of the week)	4–9
Moderation of alcohol consumption	Limit consumption to ≤2 drinks/d (e.g., 24 oz beer, 10 oz wine, or 3 oz 80‐proof whiskey) in most men and to ≤1 drink/d in women and lighter‐weight persons	2–4
SBP=systolic blood pressure; BMI=body mass index; DASH=Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Adapted with permission from JAMA. 2003;289:2560–2572. 28