The present randomized controlled trial examines the cardiovascular effects of aerobic exercise on resistant
hypertension.
Resistant hypertension was defined as a blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg in spite of 3 antihypertensive
agents or a blood pressure controlled by 4 antihypertensive agents. Fifty subjects with resistant hypertension were
randomly assigned to participate or not to participate in an 8- to 12-week treadmill exercise program (target lactate,
2.00.5 mmol/L).
Blood pressure was assessed by 24-hour monitoring. Arterial compliance and cardiac index were
measured by pulse wave analysis. The training program was well tolerated by all of the patients.
Exercise significantly decreased systolic and diastolic daytime ambulatory blood pressure by 612 and 37 mm Hg, respectively (P0.03each).
Regular exercise reduced blood pressure on exertion and increased physical performance as assessed by maximal
oxygen uptake and lactate curves. Arterial compliance and cardiac index remained unchanged. Physical exercise is able
to decrease blood pressure even in subjects with low responsiveness to medical treatment. It should be included in the
therapeutic approach to resistant hypertension