Regular walking increases peak limb vasodilatory capacity of older hypertensive humans

Abstract

The decrease in resting blood pressure in older adults with stage 1 or 2 essential hypertension in response to regular aerobic exercise is associated with an increase in peak limb vascular conductance, which could be due in part to favorable changes in arterial structure. These exercise-induced functional and, possibly, structural changes are not confined to the exercise-trained limbs, but rather are more systemic in nature. These apparent beneficial changes in limb vasodilatory capacity and vascular structure can be produced with a mode, intensity, and frequency of aerobic exercise that can be tolerated and is commonly performed by older adults.

Breathing-control lowers blood pressure

“…This view is supported by the following evidence: The arterial compliance is partially determined by the vascular tone, which is controlled by the sympathetic activity; 27 excitatory autonomic changes produced by stress stimuli can be blunted following a 3 months routine of breathing exercises, similarly to ␤-adrenergic blockade; 28 home heart rate measurements were also slightly lower in the BIM treated group than in the control, suggesting suppression of the sympathetic nervous system activity; carotid wall thickness can be reduced in atherosclerotic hypertensives following a stress reduction with the transcendental meditation programme. 29 The concept of an adaptive process, triggered by routinely applied short interventions rationalises the health-related benefits associated with physical activity, which has been shown to reduce BP 30 by an amount comparable with our results. The present study, which is based on home and clinic measurements controls for the white coat effect.…”

The effect of 4 weeks of aerobic exercise on vascular and baroreflex function of young men with a family history of hypertension

“…A number of studies have shown that FH þ subjects possess peripheral vascular abnormalities that precede and contribute toward the development of hypertension. 1,29 It has been previously demonstrated that vasodilatory capacity is augmented by both acute 5 and chronic exercise, 9,21 however, it appears that the present study is the first to demonstrate that a short-term exercise intervention is sufficient to improve vasodilatory capacity in men possessing a family history of hypertension. It was found that the improvement in leg vasodilatory capacity was not accompanied by improvement in forearm vasodilatory capacity.…”

“…43 The exercise-induced increase of peak FBF may also have clinical implications as reduced limb vasodilation has been suggested to be involved in hypertension development. 9 Whether exercise-induced lowering of arterial stiffness and increased leg vasodilation results in a reduced prevalence of hypertension development in male offspring of hypertensives needs to be confirmed by future research.…”

“…Thus, longer chronic exercise programs may be needed to improve forearm vasodilatory capacity. For example, Boutcher et al 21 showed that both forearm and leg vasodilation of young aerobically trained runners who had been exercising for years was higher compared with young healthy but untrained individuals, whereas Tanaka et al 9 found that hypertensive adults undertaking a 6-month walking program possessed an elevation of peak blood flow in both the exercising (calf) and non-exercising limb (forearm).…”

“…Also 6 months of walking resulted in increased peak vascular conductance in hypertensive adults. 9 Studies have also shown that baroreflex sensitivity was improved following long-term chronic exercise training in a diseased population. 10,11 However, to date no study has examined the effects of short-term exercise on arterial stiffness, limb blood flow and baroreflex sensitivity in young FH þ men.…”