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Exercise and hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 19, pages 585–587 (2005)Cite this article

It is a sign of modern times that increasing rates of urbanisation and associated behavioural changes have led to a higher prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle and less exercise. For example, it is estimated that children today spend 600 kcal/day less on physical activity than their counterparts 50 years ago.1 Unsurprisingly, we are facing an epidemic of hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus — which, unless tackled proactively, will result in an increase in cardiovascular diseases, especially in the young and middle aged. Lifestyle changes — especially exercise — and relationships to hypertension may need greater attention, especially at a population level.

There is little doubt about the burden and adverse prognosis of hypertension on a population basis.2, 3 Hypertension is a substantial risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and efforts to attain a blood pressure target of 140 mmHg would result in a reduction of 28–44% in stroke and 20–35% in ischaemic heart disease, depending upon the age.2 These efforts could potentially prevent approximately 21 400 stroke deaths and 41 400 ischaemic heart disease deaths each year — equivalent to approximately 42 800 strokes and 82 800 ischaemic heart diseases saved per year in the United Kingdom alone.2 Besides being a hallmark but modifiable risk factor for stroke and coronary artery disease, hypertension also leads to atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and renal insufficiency, as well as being a major component of the metabolic syndrome, that currently affects nearly a quarter of the population in the Western societies.4 While the precise cause of metabolic syndrome is not known, the interaction of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diet and unknown genetic factors is certainly important.

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  1. University Department of Medicine, Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    A Choudhury & G Y H Lip

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  1. A Choudhury
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  2. G Y H Lip
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Correspondence to G Y H Lip.

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Choudhury, A., Lip, G. Exercise and hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 19, 585–587 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001851

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