Key result
Supervised physical activity significantly reduces antihypertensive drug load vs. control over 24 months.
Why the study?
Although physical activity enhances hypertension control, the impact of exercise on the potential decrease in antihypertensive medication use remains inadequately researched.
Does a 24-month supervised physical activity program reduce the antihypertensive drug load in older adults with essential hypertension?
RCT (n=130)
Does a 24-month supervised physical activity program reduce the antihypertensive drug load in older adults with essential hypertension?
A long-term supervised physical activity program significantly reduces the requirement for antihypertensive medications in older adults with essential hypertension.
Supports supervised exercise to minimize antihypertensive drug burden in older adults; extends long-term RCT evidence for lifestyle interventions in hypertension.
Background: Although physical activity (PA) has been shown to enhance hypertension control, the impact of exercise on the potential decrease of the use of antihypertensive medications remains inadequately researched. Aim: The aim was to assess the impact of a two-year PA on the medication requirements of individuals with hypertension. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted, involving 130 participants with essential hypertension who took at least one antihypertensive medication. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG n = 65) or an experimental group (EG n = 65) that underwent a 24-month supervised PA program based on a combination of aerobic and resistance training. The antihypertensive drug load for each participant was determined by adding the ratios of the prescribed daily dose (PDD) to the defined daily dose (DDD) for all antihypertensive medications taken by the participants. The outcome measures were evaluated at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results: A total of 76 participants completed the 24-month assessment, and RM-ANOVA revealed a significantly lower antihypertensive drug load in the EG compared to the CG at 18 (p < 0.017) and 24 months (p < 0.003). Conclusion: A long-term PA program can decrease the antihypertensive drug load in older adults with essential hypertension. The trend of improvement regarding the EG drug load intake and the trend of CG drug load increase, although not significant over time, results in a significant difference between the groups at 18 months and an even greater difference at 24 months. This trend certifies the protective value of PA against the aging process and its related health risk factors.
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Cagno et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Essential hypertension (n=130). Supervised physical activity program vs. Control group was evaluated on Antihypertensive drug load (sum of prescribed daily dose to defined daily dose ratios) (p=<0.003). A 24-month supervised physical activity program significantly reduced antihypertensive drug load compared to control at 18 months (p<0.017) and 24 months (p<0.003).
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