Lifestyle modification and nutrition in preventing prehypertension and hypertension – Narrative review

Hypertension is related with various cardiovascular diseases, such as end-stage renal disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiac failure. In order to achieve overall control of blood pressure (BP) and reduce high BP related cardiovascular and kidney diseases, avoiding prehypertension becomes a top concern. There are various risk factors like obesity, excessive sodium intake, alcohol intake, and no physical activity. Numerous studies have indicated that conducting intervention toward these modifiable factors can lower BP and possibly stop hypertension from forming. Therefore, current national recommendations and guidelines include dietary adjustments, regular isotonic exercise, and a sodium-reduced diet (less than 100 mmol/d), as well as weight loss in cases of obesity. This review article highlights about halting the progression of prehypertension to hypertension in lifestyle modification and nutrition.