Key result
Increased sport activity was significantly associated with lower aortic stiffness (hfPWV) in patients with untreated hypertension (r=-0.404), whereas aerobic exercise capacity was not.
Why the study?
Does physical activity and aerobic exercise capacity improve aortic stiffness in patients with untreated hypertension?
Cross-Sectional (n=84)
Does physical activity and aerobic exercise capacity improve aortic stiffness in patients with untreated hypertension?
Effect estimate: r=-0.404
p-value: p=0.05
In patients with untreated hypertension, regular sport activity is associated with lower aortic stiffness, whereas maximal aerobic exercise capacity is not.
Hypothesis-generating for sport activity lowering aortic stiffness in untreated hypertension; prospective studies needed before clinical adoption.
Background and Objectives: High aerobic exercise capacity and sport-related physical activity are reported to be inversely associated with arterial stiffness in healthy young adults. However, it is unknown whether increased physical activity and/or high aerobic exercise capacity attenuate arterial stiffness in patients with untreated hypertension. Subjects and Methods: We studied subjects with never-treated hypertension {n=84 (55 males); mean age±SD, 49±7 years; age range, 36-65 years}. We excluded subjects with a history of diabetes, angina, myocardial infarction, major arrhythmia, or cerebrovascular diseases and those who were taking any cardiovascular medications, including lipid-lowering agents. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and heart-femoral pulse wave velocity (hfPWV) were measured before exercise testing was performed. Physical activity was estimated using a modified Baecke questionnaire. Aerobic exercise capacity was measured with maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (maximum oxygen uptake, Vo2max). Results: Linear regression analysis showed a significant inverse correlation between sport-index and hfPWV (r=-0.404; p 0.05). Carotid IMT was not associated with physical activity indices or Vo2max. Conclusion: In patients with untreated hypertension, increased sport activity was associated with lower aortic stiffness, but high aerobic exercise capacity was not. These results suggest that regular daily exercise, but not exercise capacity, is an important determinant of aortic stiffness in patients with untreated hypertension. (Korean Circ J 2009;39:52-56)
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Na et al. (2009) conducted a cross-sectional in untreated hypertension (n=84). Physical activity and aerobic exercise capacity was evaluated on Aortic stiffness (heart-femoral pulse wave velocity) (r=-0.404, p=0.05). Increased sport activity was significantly associated with lower aortic stiffness (hfPWV) in patients with untreated hypertension (r=-0.404), whereas aerobic exercise capacity was not.
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