EFFECT OF LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess effect of lifestyle modifications and implementation of DASH diet in daily life on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted for a period of six months from Dec- 2013 to May-2014. The data was collected by self prepared form and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Counselling on lifestyle changes and implementation of The DASH diet were given to the study population and post counseling changes were collected at visit 2. The significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was calculated by unpaired t-test. Results: A total of 186 patients were enrolled in the study, the mean (SD) age was 55.89(9.44), the percentage distribution of the study population showed that 103(55.37%) females and males 83(44.62%). The current study showed that overall effect of life style changes and implementation of the DASH diet in their daily life had a significant decrease in systolic (p<0.0001) and diastolic blood (P<0.0001) pressure of the study population. There was significant difference in the systolic (P value- 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P value-0.001) changes between the two groups of varied physical activity weekly once group and daily 1 hour group.  Conclusion: In hypertensive individuals, lifestyle modifications and DASH diet can serve as an important and effective first-line treatment strategy adjunct to medication in person’s already on drug therapy and enhance anti hypertensive drug efficacy, and decrease cardiovascular risk.