Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective To investigate the efficacy of a behavior change program named Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients.Methods Ninety hypertensive patients aged over 40 years were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde or Control (n=45 respectively). Patients in the Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde group took part in a behavior change program aimed to encourage changes in physical activity levels and eating habits, according to the Social Cognitive Theory. The program consisted of 90-minute weekly group meetings conducted by a physical therapist and a dietitian. One chapter of the educational material (workbook) provided was discussed per meeting. Participants in the Control Group attended a single educative lecture on lifestyle changes. Brachial and central blood pressure, arterial stiffness and endothelial function parameters were measured pre- and post-intervention.ResultsVida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde led to reduction of brachial (131.3±15.8mmHg to 125.1±17.3mmHg; p<0.01) and central (123.6±16.3mmHg to 119.0±20.6mmHg; p=0.02) systolic and brachial diastolic (123.6±16.3mmHg to 119.0±20.6mmHg; p<0.01) blood pressure values, and improvement of post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (from 5.7±2.5mL·100mL−1 to 6.5±2.1mL·100mL−1 tissue·min−1; p=0.04). No changes in body composition, heart rate and arterial stiffness parameters were detected in both groups (p>0.05).ConclusionVida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde program improved blood pressure and microvascular reactivity in hypertensive patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02257268
Highlights
Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease[1] and is highly associated with obesity,(2) increased arterial stiffness[3] and reduced microvascular reactivity.[4]. Physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are major risk and prognostic factors for hypertension; physical activity and eating habits are the cornerstone of lifestyle modification approaches aimed at hypertensive patients.[1,5,6] Increased levels of physical activity combined with a healthy diet have been shown to benefit cardiovascular health;(7) still, only 30% of hypertensive patients comply with physical activity recommendations,(8,9) and less than 10% report healthy eating habits.[10]
A short-term behavior change program named Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde (VAMOS) and aimed to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits among adult and elderly individuals has been recently developed in Brazil.[12]. The effectiveness of this program in maintaining physical activity, and improving eating habits and quality of life in hypertensive patients, has been demonstrated in a previous study by the same research group.[13]
The behavior change program Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde VAMOS Group participants were enrolled in a behavioral program aimed to encourage behavior changes associated with a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity and eating habits, according to the social cognitive theory.[16]. The program consisted of 90-minute weekly group meetings conducted by a physical therapist and scheduled over the course of 12 consecutive weeks
Summary
To investigate the efficacy of a behavior change program named Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients. Results: Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde led to reduction of brachial (131.3±15.8mmHg to 125.1±17.3mmHg; p
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