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Aerobic Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure in Resistant Hypertension
Hypertension, 07/17/2012
Dimeo F et al. – Physical exercise is able to decrease blood pressure even in subjects with low responsiveness to medical treatment. It should be included in the therapeutic approach to resistant hypertension.
Methods- The present randomized controlled trial examines the cardiovascular effects of aerobic exercise on resistant hypertension.
- Resistant hypertension was defined as a blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg in spite of 3 antihypertensive agents or a blood pressure controlled by ≥4 antihypertensive agents.
- Fifty subjects with resistant hypertension were randomly assigned to participate or not to participate in an 8– to 12–week treadmill exercise program (target lactate, 2.0±0.5 mmol/L).
- Blood pressure was assessed by 24–hour monitoring.
- Arterial compliance and cardiac index were measured by pulse wave analysis.
- The training program was well tolerated by all of the patients.
- Exercise significantly decreased systolic and diastolic daytime ambulatory blood pressure by 6±12 and 3±7 mm Hg, respectively (P=0.03 each).
- Regular exercise reduced blood pressure on exertion and increased physical performance as assessed by maximal oxygen uptake and lactate curves.
- Arterial compliance and cardiac index remained unchanged.
