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Exercise Capacity and Progression From Prehypertension to Hypertension
Hypertension, 07/03/2012
Clinical Article
Faselis C et al. – An inverse, S–shaped association was shown between exercise capacity and the rate of progression from prehypertension to hypertension in middle–aged and older male veterans. The protective effects of fitness were evident when exercise capacity exceeded 8.5 metabolic equivalents (METs). These findings emphasize the importance of fitness in the prevention of hypertension.
Methods- The authors assessed the association between exercise capacity and rate of progression to hypertension (HTN).
- The median follow–up period was 7.8 years (mean (± SD) 9.2±6.1 years).
- The incidence rate of progression from prehypertension to hypertension was 34.4 per 1000 person–years.
- Exercise capacity was a strong and independent predictor of the rate of progression.
- Compared to the High–Fit individuals (>10.0 METs), the adjusted risk for developing HTN was 66% higher (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.2; P=0.001) for the Low–Fit and, similarly, 72% higher (hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.3; P=0.001) for the Least–Fit individuals, whereas it was only 36% for the Moderate–Fit (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.80; P=0.056).
- Significant predictors for the progression to HTN were also age (19% per 10 years), resting systolic blood pressure (16% per 10 mm Hg), body mass index (15.3% per 5 U), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (2–fold).