Iwane M, Arita M, Tomimoto S, Satani O, Nishio I
Walking exercise reduces blood pressure in mild essential
hypertension
12th Annual ASH Meeting
Am J Hypertens
(Apr) 10:196A 1997
Regular aerobic exercise can reduce SBP in hypertensive patients by
approximately 10 mm Hg (
World Hypertension League Consensus Statement,
J Hypertens 1991; 9:283-287). The effects of walking on resting BP
was evaluated in a selected group of 83 people (32 with high BP, and 51
normotensive), who carried out a 12-week program of walking-training,
averaging 10,000 steps/day.
Follow up included evaluations of resting BP, HR, sympathetic nerve
activity (SNA, methods not explained), and max VO2 in a subgroup of 30 HT,
and 17 HT controls who did not exercise. Findings showed significant
decrease in both SBP (149 ± 12 vs. 141 ± 9), and DBP ( 99
± 6
vs. 91 ± 6) mm
Hg after exercise training in HT subjects. HR was unchanged but SNA and
max VO2 were significantly improved. No changes in any parameters were
described in HT controls, or in NT who only walked 5970 steps/day. Thus,
substantial beneficial effects were observed in HT.
Comment: This study suggests that even low-grade exercise training,
by
walking an average of 10,000 steps/day for a 12 week period may have
substantial benefit in HT, with a reduction in BP and SNA. The lack of
significant changes in NT is puzzling. These findings in Japanese
patients are interesting, and a similar study should be conducted in a
larger number of cases in other countries.
(Armando Lindner, M.D., University of Washington, Seattle)
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12th Annual ASH Meeting
H: Non drug therapy :
Role of exercise