Blood Pressure In Older Women Research Articles

Effect of Yoga Therapy on Insomnia Severity and Systolic Blood Pressure in Aged Women: A 12-Week Intervention Study Conducted in Kerala.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week yoga therapy intervention on insomnia severity and systolic blood pressure in older women experiencing insomnia. A sample of 30 participants, aged between 60 and 70 years, underwent interventions, starting with an initial full-day workshop followed by 60-minute sessions held six days per week in the mornings. Women screening positive for insomnia using the Insomnia Severity Index Questionnaire were eligible for participation. The majority of participants were aged between 60 and 65 years, with a slight majority residing with a spouse. Economically, the group exhibited a diverse distribution, with a significant proportion classified as middle class. Educationally, the group also displayed a varied profile, with a range of educational qualifications. Pretests and post-tests were conducted to assess outcomes. The results revealed a significant reduction in Insomnia Severity Scores, with a mean decrease of 5.17 (±1.05), indicating a substantial effect size, from an initial average of 23.03 (±2.47) to 17.87 (±2.61) after the intervention. Similarly, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, with scores declining by a mean of 9.67 (±6.87), demonstrating a considerable effect size, from an average of 140.33 (±8.65) to 130.67 (±7.52). These findings suggest that yoga therapy holds promise as a non-pharmacological approach for alleviating insomnia symptoms and reducing systolic blood pressure in older women experiencing insomnia.

The Effect of Slow Deep Breathing Exercises on Elderly Women With Hypertension

Background: The elderly or the elderly are the last stage of the human life cycle and experience degenerative processes in various aspects, especially in older women, which results in a higher risk of exposure to disease and ends in death, one of which is hypertension. Older women are closely related to the occurrence of hypertension when a woman experiences menopause. Treatment of hypertension can be done using non-pharmacological methods using slow deep breathing exercises. Purpose: To determine the effect of slow deep breathing exercises on older women with hypertension. Method: This study used the time series quasi-experimental method with one pre-test and post-test group. Results: The analysis of the Paired Sample T Test yielded p-values of 0.049 and 0.009 (p < 0.05), indicating that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is supported. This implies that there is a significant impact of slow deep breathing exercises on blood pressure in older women when comparing the measurements before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Slow deep breathing exercises have an impact on the blood pressure of older women with hypertension.

Long-Term Effects of Microfiltered Seawater and Resistance Training with Elastic Bands on Hepatic Parameters, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Blood Pressure of Older Women: A 32-Week, Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The bulk of research on microfiltered seawater (SW) is based on its short-term effects. However, the long-term physiological adaptations to combining SW and resistance training (RT) are unknown. This study aimed to analyse the impact of an RT program using elastic bands combined with SW intake on hepatic biomarkers, inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood pressure in post-menopausal women. Ninety-three women voluntarily participated (age: 70 ± 6.26 years; body mass index: 22.05 ± 3.20 kg/m2; Up-and-Go Test: 6.66 ± 1.01 s). RT consisted of six exercises (32 weeks, 2 days/week). Nonsignificant differences were reported for hepatic biomarkers except for a reduction in glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in both RT groups (RT + SW: p = 0.003, ES = 0.51; RT + Placebo: p = 0.012, ES = 0.36). Concerning oxidative stress, vitamin D increased significantly in RT + SW (p = 0.008, ES = 0.25). Regarding inflammation, interleukin 6 significantly decreased (p = 0.003, ES = 0.69) in RT + SW. Finally, systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both RT groups (RT + placebo: p < 0.001, ES = 0.79; RT + SW: p < 0.001, ES = 0.71) as did diastolic blood pressure in both SW groups (RT + SW: p = 0.002, ES = 0.51; CON + SW: p = 0.028, ES = 0.50). Therefore, RT + SW or SW alone are safe strategies in the long term with no influences on hepatic and oxidative stress biomarkers. Additionally, SW in combination with RT positively influences vitamin D levels, inflammation, and blood pressure in older women.

Short-term Air Pollution Levels and Blood Pressure in Older Women.

Evidence of associations between daily variation in air pollution and blood pressure (BP) is varied and few prior longitudinal studies adjusted for calendar time. We studied 143,658 postmenopausal women 50 to 79 years of age from the Women's Health Initiative (1993-2005). We estimated daily atmospheric particulate matter (PM) (in three size fractions: PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations at participants' residential addresses using validated lognormal kriging models. We used linear mixed-effects models to estimate the association between air pollution concentrations and repeated measures of systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) adjusting for confounders and calendar time. Short-term PM2.5 and NO2 were each positively associated with DBP {0.10 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04, 0.15]; 0.13 mmHg (95% CI: 0.09, 0.18), respectively} for interquartile range changes in lag 3-5 day PM2.5 and NO2. Short-term NO2 was negatively associated with SBP [-0.21 mmHg (95%CI: -0.30, -0.13)]. In two-pollutant models, the NO2-DBP association was slightly stronger, but for PM2.5 was attenuated to null, compared with single-pollutant models. Associations between short-term NO2 and DBP were more pronounced among those with higher body mass index, lower neighborhood socioeconomic position, and diabetes. When long-term (annual) and lag 3-5 day PM2.5 were in the same model, associations with long-term PM2.5 were stronger than for lag 3-5 day. We observed that short-term PM2.5 and NO2 levels were associated with increased DBP, although two-pollutant model results suggest NO2 was more likely responsible for observed associations. Long-term PM2.5 effects were larger than short-term.

Pilates training reduces blood pressure in older women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

IntroductionThe study investigated the effect of 12 weeks of pilates training on the hemodynamic responses of older women with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: 22 individuals with T2D were randomly allocated into two groups: CONTROL (n = 11; 67.5 ± 6.3 years; 154.7 ± 6.1 cm; 73.5 ± 6.1 kg; calorie intake: 1487.5 ± 360.6 kcal/day) and PILATES (n = 11; 65.5 ± 5.5 years; 155.0 ± 4.5 cm; 66.2 ± 5.4 kg; calorie intake: 1289.3 ± 385.0 kcal/day). The PILATES group executed a 12-week PILATES training program at moderate intensity, 3x/week with each session lasting 60-min. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and postprandial blood glucose were assessed at four timepoints: i) baseline; ii) 4th week; iii) 8th week; and iv) 12th week (s) of intervention. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and the Pearson's correlation coefficient were adopted. The alpha level was set at 0.05. ResultsA time∗group interaction effect was found for SBP (F = 4.206; η2 = 0.17; p = 0.02) and DBP (F = 2.624; η2 = 0.12; p = 0.05) with significant reductions (mmHg) in the 4ths and 8ths in the PILATES (PILATES SBP baseline: 134.9 ± 27.6; 4ths: 112.4 ± 15.7; 8ths: 115.8 ± 18.3; 12ths: 124.3 ± 19.1 vs. CONTROL SBP baseline: 126.5 ± 15.7; 4ths: 126.3 ± 16.2; 8ths: 124.5 ± 13.1; 12ths: 126.3 ± 21.4 | PILATES DBP baseline: 72.9 ± 11.3; 4ths: 65.1 ± 12.2; 8ths: 65.8 ± 12.2; 12ths: 67.6 ± 7.5 vs. CONTROL DBP baseline: 74.6 ± 12.0; 4ths: 73.9 ± 11.5; 8ths: 75.3 ± 11.9; 12ths: 74.5 ± 9.2). ConclusionFour and eight weeks of PILATES training promotes reduction in the SBP and DBP of older women with T2D. The exercises performed in this study were mainly body weight exercises and required a few auxiliary materials, which turns this method of training accessible.

Effect of Resistance Training Intensity on Blood Pressure in Older Women.

This study aimed to compare the effects of resistance training performed with low versus moderate loads on systemic resting blood pressure (BP) in older women. A total of 29 women (72.6 ± 5.1 years) were randomized into two groups: low load (LOW, n = 15) and moderate load (MOD, n = 14). An 8-week whole-body resistance training program was carried out 3days/week (eight exercises, three sets, 10 or 15 repetition maximum). The LOW and MOD groups trained with a relative load of 15 and 10 repetition maximum, respectively. Outcome measures included resting systolic and diastolic BP. After 8 weeks, both groups presented significant changes (p < .05) in systolic BP (LOW = -3.0%; MOD = -4.6%) and mean BP (LOW = -1.9%; MOD = -3.1%). There was no change for diastolic BP in the posttest in both groups. The results suggest that low and moderate loads are equally effective for promoting decreases in resting BP in older women.

Long-Term Effects of Three Water-Based Training Programs on Resting Blood Pressure in Older Women.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of three water-based training on blood pressure (BP) in older women. A total of 57 participants were randomized into the following groups: (a)aerobic training (AT), (b)concurrent training in which resistance training progresses to the use of resistive equipment (CTRE), and (c)concurrent training in which resistance training progresses to multiple sets (CTMS). The participants trained twice a week for 16 weeks. Systolic BP decreased from pretraining toafter8weeks of training and, subsequently, to after 16 weeks of training (AT: -6.53mmHg, CTRE: -10.45mmHg, and CTMS: -10.73mmHg). Diastolic BP decreased from pretraining to after 8 and 16 weeks of training (AT: -6.23mmHg, CTRE: -4.61mmHg, and CTMS: -6.19mmHg). Furthermore, 16% of the AT participants, 23% of the CTRE participants, and 28.5% of the CTMS participants were no longer classified as hypertensive. Water-based aerobic and concurrent training are efficient nonpharmacological measures to reduce BP in older women.

Resistance Exercise Order Does Not Affect the Magnitude and Duration of Postexercise Blood Pressure in Older Women.

Tomeleri, CM, Nunes, JP, Souza, MF, Gerage, AM, Marcori, A, Iarosz, KC, Cardoso-Júnior, CG, and Cyrino, ES. Resistance exercise order does not affect the magnitude and duration of postexercise blood pressure in older women. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1062-1070, 2020-The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 resistance exercise order on postexercise blood pressure (BP) in trained nonhypertensive older women. Sixteen women (68.3 ± 3.3 years, 63.5 ± 11.6 kg, 157.5 ± 5.1 cm) performed 2 sessions with 8 exercises (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions) in distinct orders (from multi- to single-joint exercises [MS] or from single- to multijoint exercises [SM]) and a control session (CS), without exercise. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were obtained pre- and postsessions (60 minutes). Postexercise hypotension was observed for systolic BP (SBP) and mean BP in both the MS session (SBP: -6.9 mm Hg, mean BP: -3.3 mm Hg, p ≤ 0.05) and SM session (SBP: -4.6 mm Hg; mean BP: -1.1 mm Hg). Postexercise HR was higher than presession values until 30 minutes of recovery in both training sessions. Furthermore, SBP and mean BP, and HR were lower than the values obtained in the CS (30-60 minutes and 0 minutes, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). There were no differences between the SM and MS sessions in any variable or at any moment. In conclusion, resistance exercise order does not interfere in the magnitude and duration of postexercise hypotension in trained nonhypertensive older women.

Greater autonomic support of blood pressure in older women

In young women, tonic autonomic nervous system activity contributes less to resting blood pressure than that in men. It is unknown whether the autonomic support of blood pressure increases in postmenopausal women, therefore we examined the effect of autonomic blockade on blood pressure and how this relates to baseline muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in women. Five young (23±4 yr) and 6 older (57±3 yr) women were examined before and during autonomic blockade using trimethaphan camsylate (TM). MSNA burst frequency and burst incidence were higher in older women (24±2 vs. 14±3 bursts/min; 41±3 vs. 23±5 bursts/100hb, respectively; p&lt;0.05). Older women had a greater drop in mean arterial pressure (MAP; −25±2 vs. −8±3 mmHg; p&lt;0.01) and total peripheral resistance (−0.7±0.1 vs. −0.2±0.1 AU; p&lt;0.01) during autonomic blockade. MSNA bursts were abolished by TM within minutes. Baseline burst frequency and burst incidence were associated with the decrease in MAP during autonomic blockade (r=−0.64, r=−0.63; respectively; p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, autonomic blockade reduces MAP to a greater extent in older women, and this decrease in blood pressure is associated with resting levels of MSNA. Our results suggest that autonomic support of blood pressure is greater in older women compared to young women. Elevated sympathetic nerve activity may explain the increased incidence of hypertension after menopause.

The Effects of a Gentle Yoga Program on Sleep, Mood, and Blood Pressure in Older Women with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective. To examine the effects of yoga versus an educational film program on sleep, mood, perceived stress, and sympathetic activation in older women with RLS. Methods. Participants were drawn from a larger trial regarding the effects of yoga on cardiovascular disease risk profiles in overweight, sedentary postmenopausal women. Seventy-five women were randomized to receive either an 8-week yoga (n = 38) or educational film (n = 37) program. All 75 participants completed an RLS screening questionnaire. The 20 women who met all four diagnostic criteria for RLS (n = 10 yoga, 10 film group) comprised the population for this nested study. Main outcomes assessed pre- and post-treatment included: sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), mood (Profile of Mood States, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), blood pressure, and heart rate. Results. The yoga group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than controls in multiple domains of sleep quality and mood, and significantly greater reductions in insomnia prevalence, anxiety, perceived stress, and blood pressure (all P's≤0.05). Adjusted intergroup effect sizes for psychosocial variables were large, ranging from 1.9 for state anxiety to 2.6 for sleep quality. Conclusions. These preliminary findings suggest yoga may offer an effective intervention for improving sleep, mood, perceived stress, and blood pressure in older women with RLS.

Long-term effects of a protein-enriched diet on blood pressure in older women

Short-term randomised, controlled trials have found that dietary protein relative to carbohydrate can reduce blood pressure. Our objective was to investigate the effects on blood pressure of an increase in protein intake from whey over 2 years in women aged over 70 years. From the general population, 219 women aged between 70 and 80 years were recruited to a 2-year randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-design trial: 181 women completed the trial to the end of year 2. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a daily whey protein-based beverage (protein) or an energy-matched low-protein high-carbohydrate beverage (control). Blood pressure measurements were performed at baseline, year 1 and year 2. For protein relative to control, the estimated mean net differences in protein and carbohydrate intakes were 18 (95 % CI 13, 23) and -22 (95 % CI -9, -35) g/d at year 1, and 22 (95 % CI 17, 28) and -18 (95 % CI -6, -31) g/d at year 2. Intention-to-treat analysis found no overall differences between groups in blood pressure (P>0·5). Net differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were -2·3 (95 % CI -5·3, 0·7) and -1·5 (95 % CI -3·6, 0·6) mmHg at year 1, and 1·6 (95 % CI -1·5, 4·7) and 0·3 (95 % CI -1·9, 2·4) mmHg at year 2. Similar differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at years 1 and 2 were observed with per-protocol analysis. Therefore, the present study did not provide evidence that a higher whey protein intake in older women can have prolonged effects on blood pressure.

Low-sodium Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension–type diet including lean red meat lowers blood pressure in postmenopausal women

Low-sodium Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets are base producing but restrict red meat without clear justification. We hypothesized that a vitality diet (VD), a low-sodium DASH-type diet with a low dietary acid load containing 6 servings of 100 g cooked lean red meat per week, would be more effective in reducing blood pressure (BP) compared with a higher acid load reference healthy diet (RHD) based on general dietary guidelines to reduce fat intake and increase intake of breads and cereals. A randomized, parallel dietary intervention study was conducted to compare the BP-lowering effect of these 2 diets in postmenopausal women with high/normal BP. Women were randomly assigned to follow either VD or RHD for 14 weeks. Home BP was measured daily with an automated BP monitor under standard conditions. Of 111 women commencing the study, 95 completed (46 VD, 49 RHD). Systolic BP (SBP) throughout the intervention was lower in the VD group compared to the RHD group (repeated-measures analysis of variance time by diet, P = .04), such that at the end of the study, the VD had a fall of SBP by 5.6 +/- 1.3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) compared with a fall of 2.7 +/- 1.0 mm Hg in the RHD (group difference, P = .08). When only those taking antihypertensive medications were assessed, the VD (n = 17) had a significant fall of 6.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg SBP (P = .02) and 4.6 +/- 1.4 mm Hg diastolic BP (P = .005) after 14 weeks, and their BP was lower than that of the RHD group (n = 18) throughout the study (P < .05). We concluded that a low-sodium DASH diet with a low dietary acid load, which also included lean red meat on most days of the week, was effective in reducing BP in older women, particularly in those taking antihypertensive medications.

Tea Intake Is Inversely Related to Blood Pressure in Older Women

Tea is rich in polyphenols, which have activities consistent with blood pressure-lowering potential. The effects of long-term regular ingestion of tea on blood pressure remain uncertain. We investigated the relationships of tea intake and a biomarker of exposure to tea-derived polyphenols (4-O-methylgallic acid) with blood pressure in a cross-sectional study of 218 women > 70 y old. Clinic blood pressures were measured and tea intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall; 4-O-methylgallic acid was measured for the same period in a 24-h urine sample. Mean (95% CI) daily tea intake was 525 (475, 600) mL. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 138.1 (135.6, 140.6) and 73.5 (72.1, 74.9) mm Hg. Higher tea intake and higher 4-O-methylgallic acid excretion were associated with significantly lower systolic (P = 0.002 and P = 0.040, respectively) and diastolic (P = 0.027 and P < 0.001, respectively) blood pressures. A 250 mL/d (1 cup) increase in tea intake was associated with a 2.2 (0.8, 3.6) mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure and a 0.9 (0.1, 1.7) mm Hg lower diastolic blood pressure. The observed associations for both tea intake and 4-O-methylgallic acid are consistent with the hypothesis that long-term regular ingestion of tea may have a favorable effect on blood pressure in older women.

P026 High resting end tidal CO 2 association with higher resting blood pressure in older women

P026 High resting end tidal CO 2 association with higher resting blood pressure in older women

Prior oral contraceptive use is associated with higher blood pressure in older women.

Studies of young, premenopausal women suggest that changes in coronary risk factors do not persist after discontinuation of oral contraceptive use. However, little is known about longterm effects of past oral contraceptive use in older, postmenopausal women, who typically have a more atherogenic profile. This study examines the relation of past oral contraceptive use (including duration) to heart disease risk factors in postmenopausal women. Subjects were 517 women aged 50-69 from the Rancho Bernardo Study who attended follow-up clinic visits. Past oral contraceptive use was reported by 24.2% and two thirds had used oral contraceptives < or = 5 years. After adjustment for covariates, the only significant difference was that past users had higher diastolic blood pressures than never users (p < 0.01). Among older women, the diastolic blood pressure of past users was 3.9 mm Hg higher than that of never users (p < 0.01). Women who used oral contraceptives for < or = 5 years had diastolic blood pressures 3.6 mm Hg higher than those of never users (p < 0.01). No differences were found among younger women or those who used oral contraceptives > or = 6 years. Past oral contraceptive users may be at increased risk for heart disease because of a small but significant elevation in diastolic blood pressure that persists many years after discontinuing oral contraceptive use.

F178 The influence of long-term HRT treatment on ambulatory bloodpressure in older women with coronary artery disease

F178 The influence of long-term HRT treatment on ambulatory bloodpressure in older women with coronary artery disease

P113a The influence of long-term HRT on ambulatory bloodpressure in older women with coronary artery disease

P113a The influence of long-term HRT on ambulatory bloodpressure in older women with coronary artery disease

Relation between leisure-time physical activity and blood pressure in older women.

Although there is some evidence that physical activity may decrease blood pressure in young and middle-aged women, the physical activity-blood pressure association in older women has rarely been studied. As part of an ongoing community-based study of chronic disease, 641 Caucasian women between the ages of 50 and 89 years had blood pressure measured following the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program protocol. They also answered selected Health Interview Survey questions about their leisure-time activity and were classified into categories of light (58%), moderate (24%), heavy (6%), or no physical activity (12%) by the estimated metabolic rate required for each activity. Women who engaged in any physical activity were significantly younger and thinner than sedentary women and had lower fasting and 2-hour postchallenge insulin levels. They did not differ in alcohol consumption, cigarette use, or prevalence of coronary heart disease or diabetes. Rates of systolic and diastolic hypertension were significantly lower in women participating in light, moderate, or heavy physical activity compared with sedentary women. Blood pressure levels decreased with each increase in reported activity intensity (p less than 0.005 for trend), with systolic blood pressure approximately 20 mm Hg lower in the heaviest activity group compared with systolic blood pressure in sedentary women. Intergroup differences remained statistically significant after adjustment for age and body mass index. Although physical activity was associated with lower fasting and 2-hour postchallenge insulin levels (p less than 0.01 for trend), adjustment for insulin levels did not alter blood pressure differences among activity groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High blood pressure in older women.

In many older women the life history and course of essential hypertension is a benign and long drawn-out affair. There is no specific treatment as far as drugs, diet or surgery is concerned. The physician should be very optimistic in his attitude toward each individual female patient in the older age group. The natural history of this disorder confirms this point of view.