New Research Tests Whether Lifestyle Changes Can Help Control High Blood Pressure in Medicated Patients

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions of people worldwide, and many take medication to manage it. However, a significant portion of patients on blood pressure medication don't achieve the targets their doctors recommend. In recent years, blood pressure guidelines have become stricter, with new targets set at less than 130/80 mmHg. This means that some people may be taking their medication correctly but still not reaching these recommended levels.

The MeDiPA study is a randomized controlled trial designed to answer an important question: can lifestyle changes help people on blood pressure medication achieve better control? Researchers are testing whether adding either a low-calorie diet or increased physical activity to standard medication helps lower blood pressure in patients whose current treatment isn't working well enough.

The study included participants who were on at least two blood pressure medications, had blood pressure readings of 130/80 mmHg or higher, and were overweight or obese. Most participants also had other risk factors for heart disease and metabolic problems. The research excluded people with type 1 diabetes, very high blood pressure, or recent heart disease.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a healthy low-calorie diet group, an increased physical activity group, or a usual care control group. All groups continued their blood pressure medication as prescribed. The study ran for six months as the main intervention period, with researchers measuring blood pressure at the start, at three months, at six months, and again at 12 months to see if changes lasted.

While this particular study excluded people with type 1 diabetes, its findings will be relevant to the Type 1 community. Many people with type 1 diabetes also have high blood pressure and struggle to achieve their blood pressure targets despite medication. Understanding whether lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise can improve blood pressure control in medication-resistant cases could provide valuable insights for people managing both conditions.

Source: Blood pressure. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.