The document discusses the benefits of aerobic exercise on hypertension. It notes that hypertension is a major health problem and risk factor for death. While genetics accounts for some risk, sedentary lifestyles increase risk by 30-50%. A controlled trial of 27 sedentary males with hypertension found that 10 weeks of aerobic exercise significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with effects lasting over 22 hours post-exercise. Aerobic exercise is highly recommended for reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

1. The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise on Hypertension Gregg Fyffe August 3rd 2010

2. Prevalence of Hypertension 29% of Australians have Hypertension1. Most Frequently managed chronic problem by general practitioners2. Directly cost the United States of America $50.8 billion3 in 2002. Primary or contributory cause of death in 118000, one death every 4.5mins3. Genetics accounts for 1/3 risk of developing Hypertension3,4. Is the 3rd greatest risk factor for deteriorating overall health. Behind smoking and inactivity1. Sedentary individuals have a 30-50% greater chance of developing hypertension in their lifetime1.

4. Therefore BP must be measured minimum of 2 times to confirm a hypertensive state.NHFA Classification values for confirming Hypertension1. (National Heart Foundation of Australia.)

5. Genetic Risk Source: Am Heart Assoc(2003) Stats8

6. Controlled trial of Aerobic Exercise on hypertensionMartin. JE, Dubbert.PM, Cushman. WC.(1990) Controlled trial of Aerobic exercise in hypertension. American Heart Association. 1990;81;1560-1567 27 sedentary male subjects Av. Age 43.5 years Av. BP 138/95 mmHg (grade 1) Crossover Population

7. Results:Martin. JE, Dubbert.PM, Cushman. WC.(1990) Controlled trial of Aerobic exercise in hypertension. American Heart Association. 1990;81;1560-1567

8. Results continued...Martin. JE, Dubbert.PM, Cushman. WC.(1990) Controlled trial of Aerobic exercise in hypertension. American Heart Association. 1990;81;1560-1567 Figure 2 shows the favourable effect aerobic exercise has on decreasing diastolic BP. For the initial aerobic exercise group there was a decrease of 9.6mmHg*. The crossover population also decreased by 6.1mmHg, however this was not statistically significant. No decrease was observed in the control group. Figure 3 demonstrates the favourable effect, of the 10 week aerobic exercise program, on lowering systolic blood pressure. A decrease of 6.4mmHg in the aerobic exercise group and a decrease of 9.1*mmHg (*stat significant) for the crossover group. No decrease was noted in the control group.

9. Conclusion: Significant reductions in BP only occurred with aerobic exercise. These changes in BP were not accompanied with changes in weight and/or %body fat. This provides crucial evidence in support of the antihypertensive effect of aerobic exercise6 A meta-analysis by Whelton et al (2002) confirmed the long term effect of aerobic exercise is a lowering of BP. This result is more pronounced in hypertensive individuals7 Additionally, aerobic training was shown to have many other favourable effects on cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes6.

10. Whelton et al. (2002) Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials. Ann Inten Med. 2002;136:493-503

12. A combined aerobic and resistance training program has many favourable effects on cardiovascular risk factors and increasing quality of life8.