Non-pharmacological Methods reduce Drug use in the Treatment of Hypertension: A two-year trial in general practice

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Abstract
In a primary-care based study, 122 patients who were taking antihypertensive drugs took part in a two-year trial that aimed at establishing the feasibility of non-pharmacological methods in the treatment of hypertension in general practice. The patients could choose from among 14 non-pharmacological methods of blood pressure reduction. Increased physical exercise, weight reduction, low-sodium and low-fat diet, relaxation training, and home-monitoring of blood pressure were the most popular methods. The use of anti-hypertensive drugs was reduced by 55% in the participants, with the defined daily dose (DDD) being lowered from 1.18 to 0.55 (P < 0.001). At the end of the study, 46% of the participants were free from anti-hypertensive drugs. Significant reductions occurred in body mass index (27.1 to 26.4 kg/m2, P = 0.001) and serum cholesterol (6.89 to 6.48 mmol/I, P < 0.001). According to some measures used, the study group's experience of “quality of life” was not reduced.