Adults being treated for hypertension who reported high levels of physical activity had 69% lower odds of uncontrolled blood pressure than those with low activity levels, according to a study of more than 600 patients.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
Regular physical activity may significantly improve the chances of keeping hypertension under control, even among people already taking blood pressure medication, according to new research involving more than 600 adults.
The study examined 612 adults receiving treatment for hypertension at a primary healthcare center in Kenitra, Morocco. Participants had an average age of 58.5, and 57% were women.
Despite being treated for high blood pressure, approximately 66% of the participants still had readings classified as uncontrolled under the 2023 European Society of Hypertension guidelines.
Researchers found a strong association between physical activity and better blood pressure control.
Compared with participants reporting low levels of activity, those engaging in moderate physical activity had 51% lower odds of uncontrolled hypertension. Participants with high physical activity had 69% lower odds.
The relationship remained significant after researchers accounted for numerous factors that could influence blood pressure, including age, sex, household income, family history, smoking, salt consumption, waist-to-height ratio, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, medication adherence and the type of antihypertensive treatment being used.
Of the participants, 36.1% were categorized as having low physical activity, 39.1% reported moderate activity and 24.8% had high activity.
The findings do not mean physical activity lowered individual blood pressure readings by 69%. Rather, highly active participants had substantially lower statistical odds of having uncontrolled hypertension compared with those who were least active.
Because the research was cross-sectional, it also cannot prove that exercise directly caused better blood pressure control. People who are more physically active may differ in other ways that contribute to cardiovascular health.
Still, the results add to a large body of evidence connecting regular exercise with healthier blood pressure.
Researchers identified several characteristics associated with greater odds of uncontrolled hypertension. Those included being older than 60, smoking, having an elevated waist-to-height ratio, consuming large amounts of salt and having both diabetes and dyslipidemia.
The findings are particularly notable because all study participants were already receiving treatment for hypertension. The high prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure suggests that medication alone may not always be sufficient to bring readings into recommended ranges.
Physical activity can complement medical treatment through several mechanisms.
Aerobic exercise helps strengthen the heart, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently. Regular activity can also improve blood-vessel function, reduce arterial stiffness, support healthier body weight and improve sensitivity to insulin — all factors that can influence blood pressure.
Walking is among the simplest ways to increase activity because it requires little equipment and can be incorporated into everyday routines. Cycling, swimming, dancing and other forms of aerobic exercise can provide similar cardiovascular benefits.
Swimming may be particularly appealing for people who have joint discomfort or difficulty with high-impact exercise because the water reduces stress on the knees, hips and other joints.
Adults are generally encouraged to aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week or approximately 75 minutes of vigorous activity, along with muscle-strengthening exercise on at least two days.
That does not mean inactive people need to begin with demanding workouts.
Short walks, gentle cycling or lower-intensity movement can provide a starting point. Duration and intensity can then be increased gradually as fitness improves.
Activities such as qigong may also offer an accessible option for people who have been sedentary and want to begin moving regularly without immediately undertaking strenuous exercise.
Earlier research has similarly found that increasing physical activity alongside dietary changes can produce lasting improvements in cardiovascular risk factors.
In one study involving 902 adults between ages 45 and 69, participants who increased their activity while following a lower-fat dietary pattern experienced favorable long-term changes in both blood pressure and cholesterol.
Such findings reinforce the broader principle that hypertension management often works best when medication is combined with lifestyle measures rather than relying on either approach alone.
Salt intake, body weight, smoking, sleep, alcohol consumption, stress and physical activity can all affect blood pressure, sometimes substantially.
For people already prescribed antihypertensive medication, increased physical activity should therefore be viewed as a complement to treatment rather than a reason to stop taking medication. Medication changes should be made with a healthcare professional, particularly because increasing exercise and improving other lifestyle factors can sometimes change an individual’s treatment needs over time.
Hypertension remains a major contributor to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and premature death worldwide, and many people remain unaware that their blood pressure is elevated or struggle to keep it controlled after diagnosis.
The Morocco study highlights one potentially modifiable factor.
Even after accounting for medication adherence and numerous other health characteristics, people who moved more were considerably less likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure.
The most active participants had 69% lower odds, while those engaging in moderate activity had 51% lower odds compared with the least active group.
Although the study cannot establish cause and effect, its findings support a practical message: regular movement may be one of the most accessible tools available for improving cardiovascular health alongside appropriate medical treatment.
For many people, that does not require an elaborate fitness program. Consistently walking, swimming, cycling or participating in another enjoyable activity may be enough to turn movement from an occasional workout into a routine part of blood pressure management.
Source: Natural News
Original article
Comments