Evidence for exercise training in the management of hypertension in adults

Abstract

Objective To provide recommendations on exercise training as part of the management of hypertension in adults. Quality of evidence Evidence was found through a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality evidence-based reports, Bandolier, Clinical Evidence, the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement guidelines, the National Guideline Clearinghouse database, UpToDate, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (part of Ovid Evidence Based Medicine Reviews) for articles published from January 1973 to September 2013. Study types were limited to meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and reviews. Main message Exercise exerts an antiinflammatory action through the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis, and has direct effects on blood pressure. The resulting physiologic effects are classified as acute, postexercise, and chronic. Current treatment guidelines emphasize the role of nonpharmacologic interventions, including physical activity, in the management of mild to moderate hypertension. Conclusion Moderate intensity aerobic exercise has been proven to prevent hypertension and to help in the management of stage 1 hypertension. Dynamic resistance exercises, if done properly, contribute to lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. There is insufficient evidence about the safety and efficacy of isometric resistance training to recommend it.