Our previous research showed that making multiple lifestyle changes -- eating a healthier diet and increasing physical activity -- for a short-term period of six months led to significant reductions in blood pressure. Now we know that sustaining these lifestyle changes for the longer period of 18 months also leads to substantial blood pressure reductions. This is very good news, because the longer people can keep their blood pressure down, the better it is for their heart health. The other good news is that this study shows that people can make and sustain these lifestyle changes over a fairly long time period. |
The bottom-line, take-home message is that people were able to maintain healthy lifestyle changes for a period of 18 months, They had significant drops in blood pressure and weight loss. |
The key thing is that we now have a number of different strategies we can give you. Let's face it, lifestyle changes are difficult. The more options I can give you, the more likely you would be to do something. |
These results contain two very good pieces of news for the millions of Americans who have elevated blood pressure. Our previous research showed that making multiple lifestyle changes -- eating a healthier diet and increasing physical activity -- for a short-term period of six months led to significant reductions in blood pressure. Now we know that sustaining these lifestyle changes for the longer period of 18 months also leads to substantial blood pressure reductions. This is very good news because the longer people can keep their blood pressure down, the better it is for their heart health. The other good news is that this study shows that people can make and sustain these lifestyle changes over a fairly long time period. |
They don't have to go on medications, which have side effects and a cost. |
This study and many others show that lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on risk profiles, and people will benefit in so many ways. |
Typically, people have tended to look at one intervention component at a time: weight loss, limiting sodium, physical activity. And we had concerns that trying to get them to do a lot would overwhelm them. It was very encouraging that they were able to make such comprehensive changes, and sustain some part of that long term. |