What lifestyle modifications should I recommend to a patient with proteinuria and hypertension?

For a patient with proteinuria and hypertension, recommend the following lifestyle modifications:

• Encourage a healthy diet and regular exercise as these can reduce blood pressure and have cardiovascular benefits.
• Advise reducing dietary sodium intake by lowering salt consumption or substituting sodium salt, which helps lower blood pressure. However, caution is needed with salt substitutes containing potassium chloride in patients with kidney disease or those on certain antihypertensives.
• Discourage excessive alcohol consumption to reduce blood pressure and improve overall health.
• Discourage excessive caffeine intake as it may raise blood pressure.
• Offer support and advice to stop smoking to improve cardiovascular and kidney health.
• Provide information about local support initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle changes, including group-based motivational programs.

These lifestyle interventions should be offered periodically alongside medical management to optimise blood pressure control and reduce progression of kidney damage in patients with proteinuria and hypertension.