Blood Pressure Reduction Following Physical Activity

Abstract

1729 The American Heart Association has recommended moderate physical activity (PA) for treatment of high blood pressure (BP), however only walking has been observed. PURPOSE The purpose of these case studies is to describe the acute blood pressure response (∼1 hr avg.) of hypertensive adults to short bouts (15–20 min) of PA. METHODS Three hypertensive subjects performed a control day (CD) and a physical activity day (PAD) wearing an Accutraker II (ambulatory blood pressure monitor) and an RT3 triaxial accelerometer (3 axis; 1 min log). The control day consisted of activities of daily living. For the PAD, each subject was instructed to increase their PA throughout the day by taking stairs, walking the dog, gardening, etc. Data were analyzed for short isolated bouts of PA (>2 kcals·min−1) and corresponding blood pressures within one hour following cessation of activity. RESULTS The CD blood pressures were averaged at the exact time of day the PA day was performed. Subject 1 (73yo [[female symbol]], BMI 20.1 kg·m−2) whom pulled weeds (5.3 ± 1.2 kcals·min−1) and subject 3 (73yo [[female symbol]], BMI 21.2 kg·m−2) whom did brisk walking (6.9 ± 2.7 kcals·min−1) decreased BP following a short bout of PA. Subject 2 (71yo [[male symbol]], BMI 32.0 kg·m−2) whom did yard work (2.1 ± 0.8 kcals·min−1) increased BP until 45 minutes post PA and then decreased BP. Table 1 below presents these data.Table 1: Control Day and up to 1 Hour Post PA Blood Pressure in Three Hypertensive SubjectsCONCLUSIONS: Although results above suggest that there are responders and non responders to PA, there is promising data that short bouts of PA may decrease BP in some hypertensive adults. This study partially funded by IU Adult Fitness Program.