NHLBI study shows large blood pressure benefit from reduced diet...( H diet at the lower sodium intake. Tha...)

Overall, the DASH diet combined with the lower sodium intake reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 8.9 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 4.5 mm Hg. In those with hypertension, the combination reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 11.5 mm Hg; in those without hypertension, the combination reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 7.1 mm Hg.

Other key results from the study are:

• 8729; At each of the three levels of sodium intake, blood pressure was lower for those on the DASH diet than for those on the control diet. For example, at the currently recommended level of 2,400 milligrams of sodium a day, the DASH diet reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 5.0 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 2.5 mm Hg.

• For the usual diet, reducing sodium intake from higher to lower levels decreased systolic blood pressure by an average of 6.7 mm Hg and diastolic by an average of 3.5 mm Hg. More than half of that reduction occurred when participants reduced their sodium intake from the intermediate to the lower level.

• When going from the higher to the lower level of sodium intake, participants without hypertension had substantial reductions in blood pressure, whether they were on the usual diet or the DASH diet.

Those on the lower sodium intake, as well as those on the DASH diet, had fewer headaches. Otherwise, there were no significant differences in adverse effects among the two eating plans or different sodium levels.

"The results show that those with hypertension should follow the DASH eating plan at a reduced sodium intake to help lower their blood pressure," said Dr.
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Contact: NHLBI Communications Office
301-496-4236
NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
16-May-2000