About this Resource
If you are working with a client with elevated blood pressure, it is best advised to work alongside a qualified medical professional. However, there are certain lifestyle strategies, such as increasing physical activity levels and reducing sodium intakes, which are commonly recommended as part of treatment. This handout outlines six evidence-based strategies to manage high blood pressure.
Grounded in the Research
“On the basis of evidence from clinical trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews, current clinical guidelines recommend lifestyle changes as the initial treatment for those with prehypertension and also as a complementary aspect of pharmacological therapy for all other stages.”
Excerpt from: Gay, H. C., Rao, S. G., Vaccarino, V., & Ali, M. K. (2016). Effects of different dietary interventions on blood pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Hypertension, 67(4), 733-739.
References
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https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-3-201308060-00008
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[15] Shi, L., Zhang, D., Wang, L., Zhuang, J., Cook, R., & Chen, L. (2017). Meditation and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Hypertension, 35(4), 696-706. https://doi.org/10.1097/hjh.0000000000001217
[16] Ursoniu, S., Sahebkar, A., Andrica, F., Serban, C., Banach, M., & Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration. (2016). Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 35(3), 615-625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2015.05.012
[17] Wang, H. P., Yang, J., Qin, L. Q., & Yang, X. J. (2015). Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A meta‐analysis. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 17(3), 223-231. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.12473
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