Effect of interval training programme on pulse pressure in the management of hypertension: A randomized controlled trial

Gc Okoye,L Sikiru

doi:10.4314/ahs.v13i3.7

Abstract

Pulse pressure (PP), might be a stronger determinants of cardiovascular risk. To investigate the effect of interval training program on PP in subjects with hypertension. Two hundred and forty five male patients with mild to moderate (Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP] between 140-179 & Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP] between 90-109 mmHg) essential hypertension were age-matched and grouped into exercise and control groups. The exercise (work: rest ratio of 1:1) groups involved in an 8-weeks interval training programs of between 45-60 minutes, at intensities of 60-79% of HR max (maximum heart rate), while the control group remained sedentary during this period. SBP, DBP, VO2max and PP were assessed. Findings of the study revealed significant correlation between PP and blood pressure; correlation of PP with SBP was much stronger (95% variance). Also, there was significant effect of the exercise training program on SBP, DBP and PP. Changes in VO2max also negatively correlated with changes in PP (r= -.285) at p<0.05. Moderate intensity interval training programs is effective in the non-pharmacological management of hypertension and may prevent cardiovascular event through the down regulation of PP in hypertension.

Highlights

Hypertension is a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease[1]
Following wash out and pretest, all subjects were placed on methyldopa, the exercise group involved in interval training programs for 8 weeks, while the control group remained sedentary during the period
This study provide evidence that (1) pulse pressure (PP) is significantly correlated with both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (2) exercise significantly reduced PP and (3) changes in PP significantly correlated with changes in VO2max

Summary

Introduction

Hypertension is a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease[1]. The two measures of blood pressure which represent the peak and trough of the sinusoidal wave form of arterial pressure are systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) respectively. Both measurements predict cardiovascular risk, there is no a priori reason for supposing that either provides the best possible measure of risk, especially, since one (systolic) is a stronger predictor than the other[2].

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