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Recommended
Modifications of Lifestyle to
Prevention and Treat Hypertension
-Exercise has been shown to reduce blood
pressure and lower the risk of hypertension.
A person should perform aerobic exercises for at least 30 to 45
minutes most days of the week.
-Hypokalemia may be associated with
hypertension. It is recommended
to take at least 90 millimoles (mmol) of potassium per day with a well
balanced diet with vegetables and fruits.
-Smoking cigarettes is a strong risk factor
for hypertension and it is important to tell patients to quit smoking
cigarettes.
-It has been shown that drinking more than 30
ml of ethanol per day is a risk factor for hypertension.
-African Americans, people with hypertension,
and elderly people are at higher risk for sodium producing hypertension than
the general population. It is
recommended that the sodium intake should be limited to 2 grams of sodium or
6 grams of sodium chloride per day.
-Weight reduction has been shown to decrease
blood pressure in many obese people.
-The data does not support
recommending patients to increase their calcium or magnesium intake to lower
blood pressure.
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