Effect of different physical activities on blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension

Objectives To investigate the effect of different physical activities on the blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension, and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Methods 256 elderly patients with grade 1, 2 hypertension and no other complications, and 256 healthy elderly people were selected as the control subjects.According to the blood pressure and the level of physical activity, the patients were divided into hypertension combined with low physical activity group(HL group), hypertension combined with middle physical activity group(HM group), normal blood pressure combined with low physical activity group(NL group)and normal blood pressure combined with middle physical activity group(NM group). The changes of blood pressure were compared in quiet, during and after physical activity. Results The diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and systolic blood pressure(SBP) measured at rest, peak exercise and 5 minutes after exercise were significantly higher in group HL and HM group than in NL group and NM group, and the differences between groups were statistically significant(SBP: F=11.846、18.337、10.976, all P<0.001 for all; DBP: F=13.182、11.694、11.453, all P<0.05). The DBP and SBP in HL group at rest and 5 minutes after exercise were significantly higher than those in the HM group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The change magnitudes of DBP and SBP were significantly lower in HL group than in the HM group, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusions Taking part in an appropriate exercise can improve blood pressure level and a recovery capability of post-exercise blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension. Key words: Hypertension; Motor activity