Diet and Hypertension

Keeping a watch on what you eat and drink will help us to control blood pressure and kidney diseases. Consulting the best nephrology doctor in Hyderabad will help you get the right advice about the diet.

A recent study, called Treating Resistant Hypertension Using Lifestyle Modification to Promote Health (TRIUMPH) showed a 4-month, structured diet and exercise intervention lowered blood pressure in adults with resistant blood
pressure.

Resistant hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mm Hg after adherence to three or more optimally-dosed antihypertensive medications of three different classes, including one diuretic.

The intervention included following a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, as well as restricting calories and sodium to less than 2,300 mg/day. It also included weekly, 45-minute group counselling sessions focusing on eating behaviours. The exercise component included 45-minute sessions carried out three
times per week.

While some individuals can make lifestyle changes on their own, some need help. This is a nice study that emphasizes what we often forget: Lifestyle factors, especially salt intake, are important drivers of resistant hypertension.

The treatment group had a greater reduction in clinic systolic BP (–12.5 versus –7.1 mm Hg; P = .005) and diastolic BP (–5.9 versus –3.7 mm Hg; P = .034), as well as 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP (–7.0 versus –0.3 mm Hg; P = .001).

This is an important evidence-based, safe, healthy and inexpensive way to control
your blood pressure.