Table 4 Recommendations for lifestyle interventions in recent major guidelines for hypertension

Recommended weight

Reduce saturated fat

Increase fruit & vegetables

Other recommendations

Recommended max. daily intake

Recommended max. daily intake (ethanol)

CMA

Y

(BMI 20–25 kg/m²)

No specific recommendation

Y

(3–7 g/day)

≤17.4 g/day (women)

≤27.0 g/day (men)

Y

50–60 mins. aerobic exercise 3–4 times per week

WHO

Y if overweight

Y

Y

Increase fish consumption

Y

(≤ 6 g/day)

≤10–20 g/day (women)

≤ 20–30 g/day (men)

Y

30–45 mins. aerobic exercise 3–4 times /week

VHA

Y

(if > 10% of ideal body weight)

Y

Y

Increase cereal consumption

Y

(≤ 6 g/day)

≤14 g/day (women)

≤ 28 g/day (men)

Y

30–45 mins. aerobic exercise 3–5 times/week

SIGN

Y

(BMI < 25 kg/m²)

Y

Y

Y

(<5 g/day)

≤15.8 g/day (women)

≤ 23.7 g/day (men)

Y

30–45 mins. aerobic exercise most days

ESH

Y

Y

Y

Increase fish consumption

Y

(4.7–5.8 g/day)

≤10–20 g/day (women)

≤ 20–30 g/day (men)

Y

30–45 mins. aerobic exercise 3–5 times/week

ICSI

Y if overweight

Y

Y

Increase low fat dairy food consumption

Y

(<6 g/day)

≤14 g/day (women)

≤ 28 g/day (men)

Y

30–45 mins. aerobic exercise 3–4 times/week

JNC

Y

(BMI 18.5–25 kg/m²)

Y

Y

Increase low fat dairy food consumption

Y

(≤ 6 g/day)

≤14 g/day (women)

≤ 28 g/day (men)

Not discussed

≥30 mins. aerobic exercise most days

SA

Y

(BMI < 25 kg/m²)

Y

Y

Increase fibre, unrefined carbohydrates

Y

≤24 g/day

Y

30 mins. aerobic exercise 3–5 times per week

BHS

Y

(BMI 20–25 kg/m²)

Y

Y

Reduce total fat

Y

(< 6 g/day)

≤15.8 g/day

≤ 23.7 g/day (men)

Y

> 30 mins. aerobic exercise most days

NICE

Y

Healthy, low calorie diet

Y

(<6 g/day)

< 14 units/wk (women)

< 21 units/week (men)

Y

30–60 mins. 3–5 times/week