Posted by Charles Waisbren on July 15, 2015 at 12:00 PM

The ball is in your court.  Weight loss and sodium restriction are the backbone of nonpharmacologic therapies to treat high blood pressures.  Medications can indeed be avoided but not without lifestyle changes.  Some new alternative approaches to hypertension might have a place in our armamentarium as well.

Several nonpharmacologic therapies, such as sodium restriction and weight loss, have been promoted by hypertension guidelines based on the trial evidence supporting their capacity to lower blood pressure. However, many patients may not respond or be able to adhere to these nonpharmacologic treatments. Despite numerous formal diet and lifestyle recommendations, the prevalence of hypertension continues to grow worldwide. As such, additional approaches are needed to help combat this public health epidemic. In this review, we outline the evidence supporting the efficacy of a number of alternative approaches for blood pressure lowering. 

Transcendental meditation, device guided deep breathing and aerobic, resistance, and isometric exercise are efficacious to lower high blood pressure.  Regardless, medications are “coming on down” unless major changes are undertaken by the hypertensive patient.