RESISTANT HYPERTENSION CAN BE TACKLED WITH A 40 MINUTES BRISK WALK

JAMA Cardiol. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2021.2735

This recent single blind randomised trial shows that there is significant reduction in ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure by walking briskly thrice a week for 3 months in patients with resistant hypertension.

Hypertension is considered "resistant "when blood pressure cannot be controlled with 3 anti hypertensive medicines including a diuretic (water tablet).

Meta-analysis of randomised trials including more than 62ooo patients has already revealed that (in the old) reducing systolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 4 mm Hg lowers rate of stroke by 30% and acute heart attack by 23%.

Reduction of diastolic blood pressure by 5-6 mm Hg cuts stroke by more than 35% and  heart attack by 16%.

This randomised trial published in JAMA reports reduction of office systolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg after  only 3 months of brisk walking , and day time lowering of systolic blood pressure by 8 mm Hg and  diastolic blood pressure by 6 mm Hg.

Regular brisk walk or cycling not only reduces high blood pressure but also high blood sugar and increased weight.

So if you suffer from high blood pressure and a doctor advises against a brisk walk or a jog  do NOT take him seriously.