Effect of moderate physical activity on blood pressure in hypertensive patients

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of moderate physical activity (60% of maximal heart rateMHR) on the reduction of blood pressure in elderly people with hypertension. Hypertension is considered a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease through physical activity. The purpose and significance of this study, was to investigate the role of exercise as an alternative therapy, since some patients exhibit sensitivity/intolerance to some drugs. Initially, 65 hypertensive males (average age = 49.7 years), (systolic blood pressure, SBP>140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure, DBP>85 mmHg) and 25 hypertensive males as control group (average age = 50.3 years and systolic blood pressure, SBP >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure, DBP>85 mmHg) were selected. The subjects were divided based on their age, duration of disease, physical activity, and drug consumption. Then, blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were measured in all of the patients using sphygmomanometer (pre-test). The exercise sessions were consisted of warm up, aerobic activity and cool down (total duration 20 minutes for first session up to 55 minute in last session). At end of the 12thsession (mid-test) and final session (24thsession), blood pressure measured for last time (post-test). The control group was without any exercise during the study. The results were analyzed using t-test. Our results indicated that moderate physical activity was effective in lowering blood pressure by 6.4/5.6–mm Hg for SBP and 2.4/4.3–mm Hg for DBP in hypertensive patients, irrespective of age, duration of disease, and drug consumption ( P 90 mmHg high blood pressure), but also as an alternative to drug therapy in the treatment of hypertension, as well.