Lifestyle changes and blood pressure control: a community-based cross-sectional survey (2006 Ontario Survey on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension).

To evaluate lifestyle changes and their impact on hypertension control in a sample of hypertensive respondents in Ontario, Canada, diet, physical activity, and other nonpharmacologic measures were recorded using a structured questionnaire during the 2006 Ontario Survey on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension. Responses were weighted to the total adult population of 7,996,653 in Ontario. The prevalence of hypertension was 21%; 42% of hypertensive persons received therapy with antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle changes, and 41% received therapy with drugs only. Blood pressure was controlled in 85% of respondents who used only drugs and in 78% of those who stated that they received therapy with combined drug treatment and lifestyle changes. Fewer than half of hypertensive respondents practiced lifestyle changes (in combination with drug treatment) for blood pressure control. Lifestyle measures in addition to medication use did not result in better control of hypertension compared to only medication use.