Physical activity helps reduce blood pressure

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Findings from a new study using
24-hour blood pressure monitoring confirm that physical
activity reduces blood pressure in patients with high blood
pressure, even when they’re taking medications to address this
problem.

As reported in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, Dr.
Domenico Di Raimondo, from Universita degli Studi di Palermo in
Italy, and colleagues assessed the blood pressure effects of a
6-week fast-walking program in 168 patients with high blood
pressure.

To be eligible for the study, subjects needed to have
systolic (the upper number on a standard reading) and diastolic
(the lower number) blood pressures between 140 and 159, and 90
and 99 mmHg, respectively. In addition, all of the subjects
were receiving medications for their high blood pressure, were
not obese, and did not have any disease that limited their
mobility.

The fast-walking sessions, which took place three times a
week, on average, were conducted under the guidance of an
experienced physiotherapist, according to the report.

After the exercise program, the average systolic blood
pressure fell from 143.1 to 135.5 mmHg, the report indicates.
At the same time, diastolic pressure dropped from 91.1 to 84.8
mmHg.

Contrary to some other reports suggesting that exercise
reduces blood pressure to a greater extent in women than in
men, no gender-based differences were found.

These results support exercise training as an important
part of the treatment of individuals with mild elevations in
blood pressure, in addition to drug therapy, the authors
conclude.

SOURCE: Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, May 2006.