Medical Care: Consider lifestyle modifications. As the cardiovascular disease risk factors are assessed in individuals with hypertension, pay attention to the lifestyles that favorably affect blood pressure level and reduce overall cardiovascular disease risk. A relatively small reduction in blood pressure may affect the incidence of cardiovascular disease on a population basis. A decrease in blood pressure of 2 mm Hg reduces the risk of stroke by 15% and the risk of coronary artery disease by 6% in a given population.
JNC VII recommendations to lower blood pressure and decrease cardiovascular disease risk include the following:
* Lose weight if overweight.
* Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol (ie, 24 oz [720 mL] of beer, 10 oz [300 mL] of wine, 2 oz [60 mL] of 100-proof whiskey) per day or 0.5 (15 mL) ethanol per day for women and people of lighter weight.
* Increase aerobic activity (30-45 min most days of the week).
* Reduce sodium intake to no more than 100 mmol/d (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride).
* Maintain adequate intake of dietary potassium (approximately 90 mmol/d).
* Maintain adequate intake of dietary calcium and magnesium for general health.
* Stop smoking and reduce intake of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol for overall cardiovascular health.