EFFICACY OF NONPHARMACOLOGIC INTERVENTIONS IN ADULTS WITH HIGH-NORMALBLOOD-PRESSURE - RESULTS FROM PHASE-1 OF THE TRIALS OF HYPERTENSION PREVENTION

Phase I of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention was conducted in 2182 adults, aged 35-54 y, with diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mm Hg to test the feasibility and blood pressure-lowering effects of seven non pharmacologic interventions (weight loss, sodium reduction, stress man agement, and supplementation with calcium, magnesium, potassium, and f ish oil). At 6 and 18 mo, weight loss and sodium reduction were well-t olerated and produced significant declines in systolic and diastolic b lood pressures (-2.9/-2.4 and -2.1/-1.2 mm Hg for weightless and sodiu m reduction, respectively, at 18 mo). None of the other interventions lowered blood pressure significantly at either the 6- or 18-mo follow- up visits. These results suggest that both weight loss and sodium redu ction provide an effective means to prevent hypertension. The long-ter m effects of both of these interventions are being tested in phase 2 o f the trial.