Hypertension in the Faith Community: A Four-Week, Nurse Led, Diet/Exercise Intervention.

Inadequate blood pressure (BP) control in hypertension carries a major financial and public health burden. This study examined the efficacy of behavioral and lifestyle changes on BP control among African American adults, aged 55 years and older in a faith-based setting. The study was supported by clergy who helped to engage participants in interventions. Nurse-led diet and exercise teaching with BP monitoring led to lower BP readings over a 4-week intervention.