Fitness and reduced risk of hypertension—approaching causality

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes and premature death, which can be prevented by adopting beneficial lifestyle habits, including regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight, and a healthy diet. Physical activity may prevent the development of hypertension through reduction in body fat mass and weight, improved vascular endothelial function and beneficial modulation of lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and autonomic nervous system balance. It has been recommended that hypertensive individuals should engage in at least 30 min of moderate–intense dynamic aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming) for 5–7 days per week in addition to resistance (muscle) training 2–3 days per week, as this kind of exercise program is highly effective in substantially lowering blood pressure [ 1 ].