A lifestyle intervention to prevent hypertension in primary healthcare settings: A Saudi Arabian feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Saudi Arabia, causing a significant public health challenge in the kingdom. In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility of the Blood pressure LifeStyle Management (BLSM) program for preventing hypertension by making a significant changes in lifestyle interventions through controlling some risk factors such as behavior, diet, physical activities, and weight in Primary Care. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Blood pressure LifeStyle Management (BLSM) program in reducing blood pressure. METHODS: This is a cohort of three-month period feasibility study in a primary care setting in a before-and-after study design. RESULTS: A total of 100 individuals were recruited for the study, and 73 have completed the program. The overall systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure showed an increment of 0.75 and 1.67 mmHg, respectively. The subgroup analysis exhibited a decrease in SBP (−6.5 mmHg) for patients with hyperlipidemia, while a DBP average increased (+2 mmHg). Females showed a decrease in SBP (−1.04 mmHg) compared to males, who increased in their SBP (+1.69). Smokers showed a significant improvement in SBP and DBP with p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle intervention can improve and control blood pressure in primary care settings. The program can be tailored to include more participants, the length of the program could be modified, and the frequency of follow-ups could be increased to enable participants to change their habits and incorporate better life choices in their daily routines.