Use of physician-recommended non-pharmacological strategies for hypertension control among hypertensive patients

This study aims to evaluate the 4 non-pharmacological strategies adopted by patients for hypertension control and patient characteristics that affect the choice of strategies. Four thousand hypertensive patients aged ≥18 years were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Odds ratios of the choice of strategies were analyzed using weighted logistic models. Clinical recommendations of non-pharmacological strategies for hypertension control were relatively low. More exercise was the least frequent strategy used for hypertension control. More patients reported using ≥3 strategies than using ≤2 strategies (79.1% vs 20.9%, P <.0001). Non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to use each individual strategy and to use ≥3 strategies simultaneously. Patients with obesity and diabetes were less likely to attempt weight control or more exercise, but more likely to use ≥3 strategies than peers. Educational programs should be developed to enhance physician's advice for lifestyle modifications and to increase patient's acceptance of physical activity.