Lifestyle changes are known to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco found that for people with high blood pressure, one change – adopting a heart-healthy diet – may do more than others.
The findings predict adopting the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet would do more to cut heart disease events over a 10-year period than changes such as weight loss and physical activity.
Stage 1 high blood pressure is defined as having a systolic (top) number of 130-139 mmHg or a diastolic (bottom) number of 80-89 mmHg.
People with stage 1 hypertension typically are treated with lifestyle changes rather than medications.
In the study, researchers examined the blood pressure-reducing effects of lifestyle changes on heart disease and stroke events, death rates, and health care costs from 2018 to 2027 for people ages 35 to 64 with untreated stage 1 high blood pressure.
Those lifestyle changes included changes in diet, physical activity, stopping smoking, sustained weight loss, and reduced alcohol drinking.
The team found making lifestyle changes that resulted in lowering blood pressure to under 130 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic could have substantial health and economic benefits.
The finding estimated lifestyle changes would prevent 2,900 deaths and 26,000 cardiovascular events, such as strokes or heart attacks, during the simulated time period.
It also predicted these changes could save $1.6 billion in associated health care costs.
Adopting the DASH diet would have the largest benefit, preventing an estimated 15,000 cardiovascular events among U.S. men and 11,000 among U.S. women.
The DASH diet was developed to help manage blood pressure levels.
It emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts, seeds, and grains and limits the consumption of red meat, sodium, sugar, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
The team says, unfortunately, the availability and affordability of healthy food sources do not easily allow people to follow the DASH diet.
Clinicians should consider whether their patients live in food deserts or places with limited walkability. Health counseling should include addressing these specific challenges to blood pressure control.
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The research was presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions and conducted by Kendra D. Sims et al.
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