What lifestyle modification is crucial for patients with hypertension?

The choice of engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy diet is critical for patients with hypertension due to its comprehensive nature in addressing multiple risk factors associated with high blood pressure. Regular physical activity helps strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and can lead to weight loss, all of which contribute to lower blood pressure levels. Furthermore, a healthy diet, particularly one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, can significantly reduce sodium intake and promote overall cardiovascular health.

While reducing sodium intake is indeed important and often emphasized in hypertension management, it is only one aspect of lifestyle modification. Simply focusing on sodium reduction without incorporating physical activity and overall dietary improvements may not provide the holistic benefits necessary for effective hypertension management.

Other options, such as avoiding all medications, are not practical or safe for managing hypertension, as many patients may require pharmacological intervention alongside lifestyle changes. Similarly, increasing caffeine consumption is not advisable for hypertensive patients, as caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and may not align with hypertension management goals.

Therefore, a multifaceted approach, combining regular physical activity with a healthy diet, stands out as a superior strategy in managing hypertension effectively.