Aerobic Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure in Resistant Hypertension

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.

Results

• 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.

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