Table 1.

Important lifestyle intervention strategies for the prevention and management of hypertension.

Approach	Recommendations
Weight management	Best goal is ideal body weight. Expect about 1 mmHg for every 1-kg reduction in body weight [131].
DASH Diet	Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, with reduced content of saturated and total fat. Expect up to 11 mmHg reduction in SBP [132,133].
Reduced intake of dietary sodium	Aim for at least a 1000 mg/d reduction per day. (one fifth teaspoon of salt). Expect up to 5 mmHg reduction in SBP [134,135].
Enhanced intake of dietary potassium	Aim for 3500–5000 mg/d per day. Preferably by a diet (such as locally available fruits and vegetables) rich in potassium. Replacing high-sodium salt with potassium-rich salt is also recommended. Expect up to 4 mmHg reduction in SBP [136,137].
Physical activity	Aerobic exercise of 90–150 min/week. Expect up to 5 mmHg reduction in SBP [138]. Dynamic resistance exercise of 90–150 min/week. Expect up to 4 mmHg reduction in SBP [138]. Isometric resistance exercise of three sessions/week. Expect up to 5 mmHg reduction in SBP [139,140]. Ambulatory physical activity such as step count (8000 to 10,000) per day [141].
Moderation in alcohol intake	Complete abstinence or limit alcohol intake to ≤2 standard drinks per day with 2 days off per week. Expect up to 3–4 mmHg reduction in SBP [142].

DASH = The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, SBP = Systolic Blood Pressure.