Not all is lost for patients diagnosed with high blood pressure, one of the most common cardiovascular diseases in the world, affecting almost 30% of the world’s population.
Researchers have not yet been able to determine how often people diagnosed with high blood pressure can modify their condition and achieve normal blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg) without the need for antihypertensive drugs.
However, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with other institutions in China and the United Kingdom, undertook the task of investigating the changes that patients with hypertension experience in their process of achieving normal blood pressure without the need to resort to drugs.
Can hypertension be reversed?
The study included 2,760 people between the ages of 33 and 99 (mean age 60) who had a baseline history of hypertension but no cardiovascular disease and were not taking antihypertensive medications at the time of the initial blood pressure measurement.
Patients were evaluated for six years and 52% of them showed a reduction of >6 mmHG in systolic; while 60% a decrease of >3 mmHG in diastolic.
Forty-two percent (95% CI: 41-44%) achieved remission of hypertension at final measurement over the following eight years, but only 29% were able to maintain that trend in the 12 years after the detection of high blood pressure.
The habits of each person were essentially important in reversing this condition, since it was found that patients who did not smoke or drink and maintained a healthy life had achieved notable improvements.
In conclusion, it was shown that patients with healthy habits had managed to reverse hypertension without the need for any drugs in the first years after their diagnosis.
Healthy habits to control hypertension:
Healthy diet:
- Reduce salt (sodium) intake.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit consumption of saturated and trans fats.
Regular exercise:
- Engage in moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes most days of the week.
Keep a healthy weight:
- Losing weight if you are overweight or obese can help lower your blood pressure.
Limit alcohol consumption:
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. This means up to one drink a day for women and up to two for men.
No Smoking:
- Quitting smoking improves overall health and lowers blood pressure.
Reduce stress:
- Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
Regular monitoring:
- Maintain regular monitoring of blood pressure to ensure that the measures taken are working.
