Effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure and plasma endothelin levels in patients with primary hypertension

Objective To explore the effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure and the level of endothelin in patients with primary hypertension. Methods Sixty-four patients with primary hypertension were divided into exercise group( n =52)and control group( n =12). The patients in the exercise group receive a session of 1 hour of aerobic exercise each day, 6 days a week for 7 weeks, while those in the control group were not intervened. The blood pressure was taken and plasma endothelin measured before and at the end of the program, and comparison was made accordingly. Results The blood pressure and the level of endothelin were significantly decreased after aerobic exercise,there was no change in control group. Conclusion Results from this study suggested that aerobic exercise can decrease the blood pressure and the level of endothelin in patients with primary hypertension.