Researchers in Ethiopia studied 326 people with high blood pressure to see which daily habits helped keep their blood pressure healthy. They found that about 57% of patients had their blood pressure under control. The study showed that people who stuck to four key habits—taking their medicine regularly, managing their weight, eating less salt, and not smoking—were much more likely to have healthy blood pressure numbers. The findings suggest that these everyday self-care activities are just as important as the medicines doctors prescribe.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether everyday habits like taking medicine on time, exercising, controlling weight, eating less salt, and not smoking actually help people with high blood pressure get better control of their numbers.
  • Who participated: 326 adults with high blood pressure who visited a major hospital in Ethiopia. Most were not smokers (91%) and most didn’t drink alcohol (72%).
  • Key finding: People who didn’t follow self-care habits were 2-4 times more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure. For example, those who didn’t manage their weight were 3.7 times more likely to have high blood pressure that wasn’t controlled.
  • What it means for you: If you have high blood pressure, focusing on these four habits—taking your medicine as prescribed, keeping a healthy weight, eating less salt, and not smoking—may significantly improve your blood pressure control. However, always work with your doctor on your specific treatment plan.

The Research Details

This was a prospective observational study, which means researchers followed 326 patients with high blood pressure over time and collected information about their daily habits and health outcomes. The researchers used a specific tool called H-SCALE to measure how well patients followed self-care recommendations. They gathered information through interviews with patients and by reviewing their medical records at the hospital. The researchers then used statistical analysis to figure out which habits were most connected to having controlled blood pressure.

This type of study is important because it shows real-world results from actual patients in their daily lives, rather than just testing medicines in a lab. By following patients over time and looking at their actual habits, researchers can understand which self-care activities really make a difference in controlling blood pressure. This helps doctors and patients understand what matters most.

The study included a good-sized group of 326 patients, which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers used a validated tool to measure self-care habits, which means the tool has been tested and proven to work well. However, the study was done in one hospital in Ethiopia, so results might be different in other countries or settings. The study also relied on patients remembering and reporting their habits, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

What the Results Show

Out of 326 patients studied, 186 (57%) had their blood pressure controlled to healthy levels. However, the study revealed that many patients weren’t following self-care recommendations: only 51% took their blood pressure medicine as prescribed, 41% exercised at recommended levels, 22% managed their weight properly, and only 25% ate a low-salt diet. When researchers looked at which habits mattered most, they found that not following these four self-care activities was strongly connected to having uncontrolled blood pressure. Patients who didn’t take their medicine regularly were 2.7 times more likely to have high blood pressure. Those who didn’t manage their weight were 3.7 times more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure—the strongest connection found in the study.

The study also found that not eating a low-salt diet increased the risk of uncontrolled blood pressure by 2.85 times, and not smoking was connected to a 3.28 times higher risk of uncontrolled blood pressure. Most patients in the study were already not smoking (91%) and not drinking alcohol (72%), which are positive findings. The research suggests that weight management and salt reduction may be particularly important areas where patients need more support and education.

These findings support what many previous studies have shown: self-care habits are crucial for managing high blood pressure. The study confirms that medication alone isn’t enough—the daily choices patients make about diet, exercise, weight, and smoking matter significantly. This research adds to growing evidence that helping patients stick to these habits is just as important as prescribing the right medicine.

The study was conducted at one hospital in Ethiopia, so the results might not apply exactly the same way in other countries or healthcare settings. The information about habits came from patients’ memories and reports, which can sometimes be inaccurate—people might forget or not remember exactly what they did. The study didn’t randomly assign people to different groups, so while it shows connections between habits and blood pressure control, it can’t prove that one directly causes the other. Finally, the study didn’t look at other factors that might affect blood pressure, like stress or sleep quality.

The Bottom Line

If you have high blood pressure, focus on these four evidence-based habits: (1) Take your blood pressure medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes—this is the most important step. (2) Manage your weight through balanced eating and regular movement. (3) Reduce salt in your diet by limiting processed foods and adding less salt to meals. (4) Avoid smoking. These recommendations have moderate to strong evidence supporting them based on this research. Always discuss any changes with your doctor before starting.

Anyone diagnosed with high blood pressure should pay attention to these findings. These recommendations are especially important for people who have struggled to get their blood pressure under control with medicine alone. If you’re at risk for high blood pressure due to family history or other factors, these habits can help prevent it from developing. However, this research was done in Ethiopia, so people in other regions should talk with their local doctors about how these findings apply to them.

You may see improvements in blood pressure within 2-4 weeks of consistently following these habits, though some changes take longer. Weight loss and salt reduction typically show effects within 4-8 weeks. Medicine effects are usually seen within days to weeks. For the best results, stick with these habits for at least 3 months before expecting major improvements, and continue them long-term for lasting control.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily medication adherence (yes/no), daily salt intake (low/medium/high estimate), weekly weight (same day and time each week), and weekly exercise minutes. Create a simple checklist: medicine taken, salt intake level, exercise completed, and smoking avoided.
  • Set up daily reminders for taking blood pressure medicine at the same time each day. Use the app to log meals and identify high-salt foods to reduce. Set a weekly weight-tracking goal and exercise target. Create a ‘salt swap’ list of low-salt alternatives to favorite foods.
  • Weekly review of medication adherence percentage, monthly weight trend analysis, monthly average blood pressure readings if user has a home monitor, and quarterly check-ins on exercise consistency. Use app notifications to celebrate adherence milestones and gently remind about missed doses or goals.

This research provides evidence that self-care habits help manage high blood pressure, but it should not replace medical advice from your doctor. High blood pressure is a serious condition that requires professional medical supervision. Do not stop taking prescribed blood pressure medicine or make major lifestyle changes without talking to your healthcare provider first. This study was conducted in Ethiopia and results may vary in different populations and healthcare settings. If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to create a personalized treatment plan that includes both medicine and lifestyle changes appropriate for your specific situation.