reported a prevalence rate of 36.6% among elderly individuals which peaks at 49 years in both sexes using 140/90mmHg cutoff point. Thus, prevention and control of high blood pressure has become an important public health concern. There is substantial evidence that pharmacological therapy is effective in the control or prevention of Abstract There is emerging empirical evidence of the efficacy of exercise in blood pressure control, however, little is known about factors limiting exercise engagement in patients with hypertension. This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, attitude and practice of exercise for blood pressure control among Nigerian patients with hypertension. A total of 150 (male, 66 and female, 84) patients with hypertension whose ages were 20 years and older participated in this study. A structured questionnaire which sought information on socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude and practice of exercise for blood pressure control was used to obtain data from the respondents who were recruited from selected government hospitals. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 Alpha level. More than half of the respondents, 90(60.0%) demonstrated poor exercise practice. A majority, 101(67.3%) had poor knowledge of exercise for hypertension control while a quarter, 39(26.0%) had positive attitude towards exercise. There were significant associations between knowledge of exercise and level of education (χ2=28.337; p=0.001), attitude (χ2=38.297; p=0.001) and practice of exercise (χ2=12.757; p=0.001) respectively. Significant association was found between knowledge and each of socioeconomic status (χ2=19.192; p=0.001) and attitude (χ2=25.634; p=0.001). Practice of exercise for blood pressure control was low among Nigerian patients with hypertension which was significantly influenced by poor knowledge of and negative attitude towards exercise practice for blood pressure control.

Objectives: Assessment of functional capacity (FC) is useful in monitoring patient's progress and also predicts the prognosis. However, sophisticated laboratory equipments are usually required which are not readily available in the clinical settings. This study assessed FC of patients with hypertension using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT). Method: This cross-sectional study employed purposive sampling technique to recruit 396 patients with mild to moderate hypertension from the Cardiac Care Unit of a Nigerian university teaching hospital. Anthropometric characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were measured using standard procedures. All participants underwent a 6-MWT and the total distance covered was recorded whilst maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was estimated using a predictive equation. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 of significance. Results: Males and females were comparable in physical characteristics and cardiovascular parameters (p>0.05). The total distance walked and estimated VO2 max were 368.9±60.5m and 9.6±0.9mL/kg/min respectively. Cardiovascular parameters were increased significantly ([SBP: t=2.499; p=0.025]; [DBP: t=-3.114; p=0.023] and [HR: t=2.055; p=0.016]) post 6MWT. Furthermore, there was a significant inverse correlation between FC and body mass index (r =-0.342; p=0.002).