What nonpharmacologic measure is recommended for a patient with elevated blood pressure who refuses medications?

What nonpharmacologic measure is recommended for a patient with elevated blood pressure who refuses medications?

• A. Moderate physical activity for 60 minutes per week
• B. Moderate physical activity for 150 minutes or more per week
• C. High-intensity interval training daily
• D. Complete bed rest

Answer: (B)

Regular physical activity, especially moderate‑intensity aerobic exercise, is a key nonpharmacologic way to lower blood pressure when medications aren’t being used. The guideline target is at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity (for example, brisk walking most days, or an equivalent mix of activities). This amount has consistently shown meaningful reductions in both systolic and diastolic BP and lowers cardiovascular risk. If 150 minutes isn’t feasible right away, start with whatever the patient can do and increase toward the goal gradually. The other options don’t meet the standard recommendations: too little total weekly activity won’t produce the expected BP reduction, high‑intensity training daily isn’t the standard recommendation for BP control without prior conditioning and medical guidance, and complete bed rest would not help and would worsen health.

Regular physical activity, especially moderate‑intensity aerobic exercise, is a key nonpharmacologic way to lower blood pressure when medications aren’t being used. The guideline target is at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity (for example, brisk walking most days, or an equivalent mix of activities). This amount has consistently shown meaningful reductions in both systolic and diastolic BP and lowers cardiovascular risk. If 150 minutes isn’t feasible right away, start with whatever the patient can do and increase toward the goal gradually.

The other options don’t meet the standard recommendations: too little total weekly activity won’t produce the expected BP reduction, high‑intensity training daily isn’t the standard recommendation for BP control without prior conditioning and medical guidance, and complete bed rest would not help and would worsen health.