People with high blood pressure can sharply cut their risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes – and may even live longer – by making simple, healthy lifestyle choices, a new study suggests.
High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – affects around 14 million adults in the UK, and many do not realise they have it until serious damage has already been done.
The condition puts extra strain on blood vessels and vital organs including the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke and other potentially life-threatening complications.
Now researchers from Harvard University in the US and Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China say simple lifestyle changes could make a major difference – even for patients already taking medication.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed more than 25,000 adults with hypertension for up to 24 years.
During that time, there were 3,300 cases of cardiovascular disease and 2,529 cases of type 2 diabetes.
Participants were given a Healthy Lifestyle Score out of five based on whether they ate a healthy diet, stayed physically active, maintained a healthy weight, drank alcohol in moderation and did not smoke. Each healthy habit counted for one point.
The results showed that those with the highest scores had a 51 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 79 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest scores.
Around one in ten Britons aged 16 to 44 has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension
They were also estimated to live more than eight years longer from age 40 than participants with the poorest lifestyle habits.
Even people who improved their behaviour after being diagnosed with high blood pressure saw benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes and almost a year of extra life expectancy.
By contrast, those whose habits worsened after diagnosis faced greater risks and were estimated to lose around a year of life.
The benefits were seen even among people taking blood pressure tablets, suggesting lifestyle changes can work alongside medication to protect the heart and reduce the risk of metabolic disease.
High blood pressure becomes more common with age, but excess weight, smoking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity and a salt-heavy diet can all increase the risk.
Around one in ten Britons aged 16 to 44 is thought to have high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first – systolic pressure – shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart pumps blood out. The second – diastolic pressure – measures the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
A normal reading is usually considered to be around 120/80 mmHg. Readings consistently above 140/90 mmHg are generally classed as high and may require lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. The NHS advises adults aged 40 and over to get their blood pressure checked regularly, and many pharmacies offer checks for free.
Doctors say lifestyle changes should be the first line of defence against hypertension.
That includes aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, cutting back on salt, maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and keeping alcohol intake within recommended limits.
The NHS uses a range of medicines to control high blood pressure, including ACE inhibitors such as ramipril and lisinopril, angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan and candesartan, and calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine and felodipine.
