Nutritional therapy for high blood pressure. Final report of a four-year randomized controlled trial - The Hypertension Control Program

R. Stamler, Jeremiah Stamler, R. Grimm, F. C. Gosch, P. Elmer, Alan Richard Dyer, R. Berman, J. Fishman, N. Van Heel, J. Civinelli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A four-year trial assessed whether less severe hypertensives could discontinue antihypertensive drug therapy, using nutritional means to control blood pressure. Randomization was to three groups: group 1 - discontinue drug therapy and reduced overweight, excess salt, and alcohol; group 2 - discontinue drug therapy, with no nutritional program; or group 3 - continue drug therapy, with no nutritional program. In groups 1 and 2 patients resumed drug therapy if pressure rose to hypertensive levels. Loss of at least 4.5 kg (10 + lb) was maintained by 30% of group 1, with a group mean loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb); sodium intake fell 36% and modest alcohol intake reduction was reported. At four years, 39% in group 1 remained normotensive without drug therapy, compared with 5% in group 2. Study findings demonstrated that nutritional therapy may substitute for drugs in a sizable proportion of hypertensives or, if drugs are still needed, can lessen some unwanted biochemical effects of drug treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1484-1491
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Medical Association
Volume257
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 9 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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