 |
 |
|
Home |
Current Issue |
Past Issues |
In the Clinic |
ACP Journal Club |
CME |
Collections |
Audio/Video |
Mobile |
Subscribe |
Tools |
Help |
ACP Online
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summaries for Patients are a service provided by Annals to help patients better understand the complicated and often mystifying language of modern medicine.
About 20% to 30% of adults are sedentary or physically inactive. Physical inactivity increases risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Many studies show that regular exercise can lower blood pressure as well as the risk for diabetes and heart disease. However, we do not know exactly how much blood pressure decreases in response to regular exercise and whether exercise lowers blood pressure equally in everyone or lowers it just in some people.
SUMMARIES FOR PATIENTS
Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure
2 April 2002 | Volume 136 Issue 7 | Page I16
Summaries for Patients are presented for informational purposes only. These summaries are not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about this material, or need medical advice about your own health or situation, please contact your physician. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine.
The summary below is from the full report titled "Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials." It is in the 2 April 2002 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 136, pages 493-503). The authors are SP Whelton, A Chin, X Xin, and J He. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine.
What is the problem and what is known about it so far?
About 25% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure (hypertension). If untreated, high blood pressure eventually damages the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk that complications, such as heart attack and stroke, will develop. There is usually no obvious cause for hypertension, although it is more common in middle-aged and older people than in young people. Blood pressure can be measured at home or in a doctor's office with a blood pressure cuff. Blood pressure readings give two numbers, systolic (the higher number) and diastolic (the lower number) pressures. Normal blood pressures are lower than 140 mm Hg (systolic) and lower than 90 mm Hg (diastolic).
Why did the researchers do this particular study?
To see how much and in whom blood pressure decreases after regular exercise.
Who was studied?
2419 adults from 54 different studies of exercise.
How was the study done?
Rather than doing a new study, the researchers analyzed information from many previous randomized trials that measured the effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure. Participants in the trials were physically inactive adults who agreed to exercise regularly for at least 2 weeks. Exercises that improve the body's use of oxygen (aerobic exercise), such as jogging, swimming, and cycling, were studied. The authors combined the results from all of the studies in a special way (meta-analysis) to see how much exercise lowered blood pressure.
What did the researchers find?
Regular aerobic exercise decreased systolic blood pressure by 3.84 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.58 mm Hg in people who were previously inactive. Exercise lowered blood pressure in all groups of people, including those who had hypertension or normal blood pressure; were obese or of normal weight; and were black, white, or Asian.
What were the limitations of the study?
The authors did not identify an ideal frequency or intensity of aerobic exercise for lowering blood pressure. Studies with exercise programs that lasted longer than 6 months showed smaller reductions in blood pressure than shorter studies. These studies don't tell us whether long-term (greater than a year) exercise will successfully lower blood pressure and prevent complications, such as heart attacks.
What are the implications of the study?
Aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure by moderate amounts in many different types of people. Adults should consider lowering blood pressure one of the many reasons to exercise 20 to 30 minutes several times per week.
Related articles in Annals:
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  D. A. Calhoun, D. Jones, S. Textor, D. C. Goff, T. P. Murphy, R. D. Toto, A. White, W. C. Cushman, W. White, D. Sica, et al. Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Professional Education Committee of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research Circulation, June 24, 2008; 117(25): e510 - e526. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. A. Calhoun, D. Jones, S. Textor, D. C. Goff, T. P. Murphy, R. D. Toto, A. White, W. C. Cushman, W. White, D. Sica, et al. Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Professional Education Committee of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research Hypertension, June 1, 2008; 51(6): 1403 - 1419. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. W. Harsha and G. A. Bray Weight Loss and Blood Pressure Control (Pro) Hypertension, June 1, 2008; 51(6): 1420 - 1425. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. D. Schocken, E. J. Benjamin, G. C. Fonarow, H. M. Krumholz, D. Levy, G. A. Mensah, J. Narula, E. S. Shor, J. B. Young, and Y. Hong Prevention of Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Councils on Epidemiology and Prevention, Clinical Cardiology, Cardiovascular Nursing, and High Blood Pressure Research; Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group; and Functional Genomics and Translational Biology Interdisciplinary Working Group Circulation, May 13, 2008; 117(19): 2544 - 2565. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. M. Janiszewski, T. J. Saunders, and R. Ross Themed Review: Lifestyle Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, April 1, 2008; 2(2): 99 - 108. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Meka, S. Katragadda, B. Cherian, and R. R. Arora Review: Endurance exercise and resistance training in cardiovascular disease Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease, April 1, 2008; 2(2): 115 - 121. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Xiaohui Hou Urban--Rural Disparity of Overweight, Hypertension, Undiagnosed Hypertension, and Untreated Hypertension in China Asia Pac J Public Health, April 1, 2008; 20(2): 159 - 169. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M D Camargo, R Stein, J P Ribeiro, P R Schvartzman, M O Rizzatti, and B D Schaan Circuit weight training and cardiac morphology: a trial with magnetic resonance imaging Br. J. Sports Med., February 1, 2008; 42(2): 141 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Rankinen, T. Church, T. Rice, N. Markward, A. S. Leon, D. C. Rao, J. S. Skinner, S. N. Blair, and C. Bouchard Effect of Endothelin 1 Genotype on Blood Pressure Is Dependent on Physical Activity or Fitness Levels Hypertension, December 1, 2007; 50(6): 1120 - 1125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. M. Bravata, C. Smith-Spangler, V. Sundaram, A. L. Gienger, N. Lin, R. Lewis, C. D. Stave, I. Olkin, and J. R. Sirard Using Pedometers to Increase Physical Activity and Improve Health: A Systematic Review JAMA, November 21, 2007; 298(19): 2296 - 2304. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Mora, N. Cook, J. E. Buring, P. M Ridker, and I-M. Lee Physical Activity and Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Events: Potential Mediating Mechanisms Circulation, November 6, 2007; 116(19): 2110 - 2118. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Conen, P. M Ridker, J. E Buring, and R. J Glynn Risk of cardiovascular events among women with high normal blood pressure or blood pressure progression: prospective cohort study BMJ, September 1, 2007; 335(7617): 432 - 432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. K. Pedersen State of the Art Reviews: Health Benefits Related to Exercise in Patients With Chronic Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, August 1, 2007; 1(4): 289 - 298. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. A. Williams, W. L. Haskell, P. A. Ades, E. A. Amsterdam, V. Bittner, B. A. Franklin, M. Gulanick, S. T. Laing, and K. J. Stewart Resistance Exercise in Individuals With and Without Cardiovascular Disease: 2007 Update: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology and Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Circulation, July 31, 2007; 116(5): 572 - 584. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. C. Laterza, L. D.N.J. de Matos, I. C. Trombetta, A. M.W. Braga, F. Roveda, M. J.N.N. Alves, E. M. Krieger, C. E. Negrao, and M. U.P.B. Rondon Exercise Training Restores Baroreflex Sensitivity in Never-Treated Hypertensive Patients Hypertension, June 1, 2007; 49(6): 1298 - 1306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. K. Welty, K. S. Lee, N. S. Lew, and J.-R. Zhou Effect of Soy Nuts on Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels in Hypertensive, Prehypertensive, and Normotensive Postmenopausal Women Arch Intern Med, May 28, 2007; 167(10): 1060 - 1067. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. S. Church, C. P. Earnest, J. S. Skinner, and S. N. Blair Effects of Different Doses of Physical Activity on Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among Sedentary, Overweight or Obese Postmenopausal Women With Elevated Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA, May 16, 2007; 297(19): 2081 - 2091. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Shah, B. Adams-Huet, and A. Garg Effect of high-carbohydrate or high-cis-monounsaturated fat diets on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of intervention trials Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2007; 85(5): 1251 - 1256. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Dasgupta, J. O'Loughlin, S. Chen, I. Karp, G. Paradis, J. Tremblay, P. Hamet, and L. Pilote Emergence of Sex Differences in Prevalence of High Systolic Blood Pressure: Analysis of a Longitudinal Adolescent Cohort Circulation, December 12, 2006; 114(24): 2663 - 2670. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. M. Eriksson, C.-J. Westborg, and M. C.E. Eliasson A randomized trial of lifestyle intervention in primary healthcare for the modification of cardiovascular risk factors The Bjorknas study Scand J Public Health, October 1, 2006; 34(5): 453 - 461. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Guimont, C. Brisson, G. R. Dagenais, A. Milot, M. Vezina, B. Masse, J. Moisan, N. Laflamme, and C. Blanchette Effects of Job Strain on Blood Pressure: A Prospective Study of Male and Female White-Collar Workers Am J Public Health, August 1, 2006; 96(8): 1436 - 1443. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. W. Braith and K. J. Stewart Resistance Exercise Training: Its Role in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Circulation, June 6, 2006; 113(22): 2642 - 2650. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. K. Sandor and R. D. Froman Exploring the effects of walking the labyrinth. J Holist Nurs, June 1, 2006; 24(2): 103 - 110. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. J. Zillich and S. T. Haines ASHP Therapeutic Position Statement on the Treatment of Hypertension. Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., June 1, 2006; 63(11): 1074 - 1080. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. J. Sigal, G. P. Kenny, D. H. Wasserman, C. Castaneda-Sceppa, and R. D. White Physical Activity/Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes: A consensus statement from the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, June 1, 2006; 29(6): 1433 - 1438. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. G. Foy, K. L. Foley, R. B. D'Agostino Jr., D. C. Goff Jr., E. Mayer-Davis, and L. E. Wagenknecht Physical Activity, Insulin Sensitivity, and Hypertension among US Adults: Findings from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study Am. J. Epidemiol., May 15, 2006; 163(10): 921 - 928. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Cakir and R. Pinar Randomized controlled trial on lifestyle modification in hypertensive patients. West J Nurs Res, March 1, 2006; 28(2): 190 - 209. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Simons and R. Andel The Effects of Resistance Training and Walking on Functional Fitness in Advanced Old Age J Aging Health, February 1, 2006; 18(1): 91 - 105. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J. Franz Medical Nutrition Therapy for Hypertension and Albuminuria Diabetes Spectr, January 1, 2006; 19(1): 32 - 38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. J Miller, J. A Cooper, and G. L. Beckles Cardiorespiratory fitness, all-cause mortality, and risk of cardiovascular disease in Trinidadian men--the St James survey Int. J. Epidemiol., December 1, 2005; 34(6): 1387 - 1394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Bruunsgaard Physical activity and modulation of systemic low-level inflammation J. Leukoc. Biol., October 1, 2005; 78(4): 819 - 835. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. A. Cornelissen and R. H. Fagard Effects of Endurance Training on Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure-Regulating Mechanisms, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Hypertension, October 1, 2005; 46(4): 667 - 675. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Chodosh, S. C. Morton, W. Mojica, M. Maglione, M. J. Suttorp, L. Hilton, S. Rhodes, and P. Shekelle Meta-Analysis: Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs for Older Adults Ann Intern Med, September 20, 2005; 143(6): 427 - 438. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. S. Bassuk and J. E. Manson Epidemiological evidence for the role of physical activity in reducing risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2005; 99(3): 1193 - 1204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Chockalingam, N. Ganesan, S. Venkatesan, G. Gnanavelu, T. Subramaniam, V. Jaganathan, S. Elangovan, R. Alagesan, S. Dorairajan, A. Subramaniam, et al. Patterns and Predictors of Prehypertension Among "Healthy" Urban Adults in India Angiology, September 1, 2005; 56(5): 557 - 563. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Muntner, D. Gu, R. P. Wildman, J. Chen, W. Qan, P. K. Whelton, and J. He Prevalence of Physical Activity Among Chinese Adults: Results From the International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia Am J Public Health, September 1, 2005; 95(9): 1631 - 1636. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. W Olin Masterclass series in peripheral arterial disease: Hypertension and peripheral arterial disease Vascular Medicine, August 1, 2005; 10(3): 241 - 246. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. He, D. Gu, X. Wu, J. Chen, X. Duan, J. Chen, and P. K. Whelton Effect of Soybean Protein on Blood Pressure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Ann Intern Med, July 5, 2005; 143(1): 1 - 9. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J. Kim, Y.-H. Ahn, C. Chon, P. Bowen, and S. Khan Health Disparities in Lifestyle Choices Among Hypertensive Korean Americans, Non-Hispanic Whites, and Blacks Biol Res Nurs, July 1, 2005; 7(1): 67 - 74. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Di Loreto, C. Fanelli, P. Lucidi, G. Murdolo, A. De Cicco, N. Parlanti, A. Ranchelli, C. Fatone, C. Taglioni, F. Santeusanio, et al. Make Your Diabetic Patients Walk: Long-term impact of different amounts of physical activity on type 2 diabetes Diabetes Care, June 1, 2005; 28(6): 1295 - 1302. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. P. Svetkey Management of Prehypertension Hypertension, June 1, 2005; 45(6): 1056 - 1061. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. M. Kaplan, S. S. Gidding, T. G. Pickering, and J. T. Wright Jr Task Force 5: Systemic hypertension J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 19, 2005; 45(8): 1346 - 1348. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Nakanishi and K. Suzuki Daily Life Activity and the Risk of Developing Hypertension in Middle-aged Japanese Men Arch Intern Med, January 24, 2005; 165(2): 214 - 220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. K. Roberts and R. J. Barnard Effects of exercise and diet on chronic disease J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2005; 98(1): 3 - 30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. E. Laaksonen, J. Lindstrom, T. A. Lakka, J. G. Eriksson, L. Niskanen, K. Wikstrom, S. Aunola, S. Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi, M. Laakso, T. T. Valle, et al. Physical Activity in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study Diabetes, January 1, 2005; 54(1): 158 - 165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. S. Daskalopoulou, D. P. Mikhailidis, and M. Elisaf Prevention and Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome Angiology, November 1, 2004; 55(6): 589 - 612. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. S. Daskalopoulou, D. P. Mikhailidis, and M. Elisaf Prevention and Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome Angiology, November 1, 2004; 55(6): 589 - 612. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. J. Sigal, G. P. Kenny, D. H. Wasserman, and C. Castaneda-Sceppa Physical Activity/Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Care, October 1, 2004; 27(10): 2518 - 2539. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. E. Fields, V. L. Burt, J. A. Cutler, J. Hughes, E. J. Roccella, and P. Sorlie The Burden of Adult Hypertension in the United States 1999 to 2000: A Rising Tide Hypertension, October 1, 2004; 44(4): 398 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 National High Blood Pressure Education Program Wor The Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents Pediatrics, August 1, 2004; 114(2/S2): 555 - 576. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Franco, S. Oparil, and O. A. Carretero Hypertensive Therapy: Part II Circulation, June 29, 2004; 109(25): 3081 - 3088. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Franco, S. Oparil, and O. A. Carretero Hypertensive Therapy: Part I Circulation, June 22, 2004; 109(24): 2953 - 2958. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. W. HERMAN, J. L. KONZELMAN JR., and L. M. PRISANT New national guidelines on hypertension: A summary for dentistry J Am Dent Assoc, May 1, 2004; 135(5): 576 - 584. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Muntner, D. Gu, X. Wu, X. Duan, G. Wenqi, P. K. Whelton, J. He, and for the InterASIA Collaborative Group Factors Associated With Hypertension Awareness, Treatment, and Control in a Representative Sample of the Chinese Population Hypertension, March 1, 2004; 43(3): 578 - 585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. W. Franks, S. Bhattacharyya, J.'a. Luan, C. Montague, J. Brennand, B. Challis, S. Brage, U. Ekelund, R. P.S. Middelberg, S. O'Rahilly, et al. Association Between Physical Activity and Blood Pressure Is Modified by Variants in the G-Protein Coupled Receptor 10 Hypertension, February 1, 2004; 43(2): 224 - 228. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Hu, N. C. Barengo, J. Tuomilehto, T. A. Lakka, A. Nissinen, and P. Jousilahti Relationship of Physical Activity and Body Mass Index to the Risk of Hypertension: A Prospective Study in Finland Hypertension, January 1, 2004; 43(1): 25 - 30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
Article
