Non pharmacological management of hypertension in
elderly patients
Non pharmacological management of hypertension is too
often overlooked in the elderly. Lifestyle modifications
may be the only treatment necessary for preventing or
even treating milder forms of hypertension in the elderly.
Weight reduction (results in a 5-20 mmHg decrease in
SBP per 10kg less), dietary sodium reduction (2-8 mmHg
decrease in SBP), physical activity (4-9 mmHg decrease
in SBP), moderate alcohol consumption (2-4 mmHg decrease
in SBP) and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) diet (8-14 mmHg decrease in SBP) should
be the cornerstone of hypertension treatment in combination
or not with active treatment[5].