AHA Physicians Say Alternative Therapies Can Help Reduce High Blood Pressure

Alternative approaches to reducing blood pressure could help people, but should not be used to replace the traditional therapies, an expert panel of the American Heart Association concludes. Aerobic exercise, resistance or strength training, and isometric hand grip exercises all could help reduce blood pressure that is higher than normal (120/80 mm Hg), especially among people who do not tolerate or respond well to blood pressure medications. But alternative therapies, which also include biofeedback and transcendental meditation, should not supplant proven methods to lower blood pressure, such as physical activity, managing weight, not smoking or drinking excess alcohol, eating a low sodium balanced diet and taking medications when prescribed, the panel said.