Effect of Weight Loss Induced by Physical Exercise on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Exercise intervention studies have shown that moderate intensity long-term aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure in patients with mild, moderate and severe hypertension. However, it is not clear whether the reduction in blood pressure is caused independently by a weight loss or an increase in physical activity, or the combination of the two. In this study, we examined the efficacy of weight loss induced by an increased physical exercise in the treatment of hypertension in hypertensive patients. To determine this, overweight or obese 33 patients with stage I-III essential hypertension were studied throughout a 7-week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise. The exercise program included moderate exercise, 3 days a week for 45-60 minutes at an intensity of 60% to 85% of maximal heart rate (220- age). After 7-week exercise program, participants were divided into two groups: the weight-loss group (n= 13) and group II (n=20) with no weight loss. After 7 weeks, there was a significant reduction in systolic pressures both in group I ( 167± 19 mmHg vs 146±8 mmHg, P<0.001) and group II (173± 14 mmHg vs 165±21 mmHg, p<0,01). Significant reduction in diastolic blood pressures also were observed in group I (116±8 mmHg vs 93±11 mmHg, p<0.001) and group II (114± 12 mmHg vs 104±13 mmHg , p<0.01). After 7 weeks, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly different, for comparison of changes from baseline, between the two groups (P< 0.001 ). After 7-weeks exercise, although it was not statistically significant, blood pressures were more found at normal ranges in group I (5/ 13 (39%)) than in group II (5/20 (25%), p=0.4). In conclusion, 7-10% weight loss caused by moderate exercise increased the positive effect of exercise induced decrease in blood pressure.