A 55-year-old patient with newly diagnosed hypertension seeks advice on lifestyle changes to help lower blood pressure. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Aerobic exercise for 30 minutes most days (150 minutes weekly) lowers blood pressure by improving vascular function and reducing cardiac workload. This is a correct recommendation, as it aligns with hypertension guidelines, promoting cardiovascular health in a 55-year-old patient. Choice B reason: Limiting alcohol to one drink per day reduces blood pressure, as excessive alcohol raises it by increasing vascular resistance. This is a correct recommendation, supporting hypertension management by minimizing alcohol’s adverse effects on cardiovascular function in the patient. Choice C reason: A diet high in saturated fats increases cholesterol and blood pressure, worsening hypertension. Low-saturated-fat diets, like DASH, are recommended, making this incorrect, as the nurse should teach reducing saturated fats to improve cardiovascular outcomes in hypertension. Choice D reason: Losing weight if overweight reduces blood pressure by decreasing vascular resistance and cardiac strain. This is a correct recommendation, as weight loss is a key lifestyle change for hypertension management, improving overall cardiovascular health in the patient. Choice E reason: Increasing processed food intake is incorrect, as these foods are high in sodium, raising blood pressure. A low-sodium diet is recommended for hypertension, making this an incorrect choice, as the nurse should teach avoiding processed foods to control blood pressure.