Every Step Counts in Lowering Blood Pressure

Making News:

How much exercise does it take to make a difference in blood pressure readings? A small study in the August issue of Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2007; 61, 778–83) suggests that even low to moderate levels of weekly exercise can help hypertension.

Researchers invited 106 healthy but sedentary civil servants between the ages of 40 and 60 to take part in an exercise program for 12 weeks. Forty-four people were randomly assigned to 30 minutes of brisk walking, 5 days per week. A further 42 were given the same program, but for 3 days per week. Walkers could choose to complete their exercise in a single bout or in multiple bouts of at least 10 minutes. Members of the control group were asked not to change their current lifestyles.

Researchers gave out pedometers to both walking groups, and participants in these groups recorded their mileage. Blood pressure, blood cholesterol, hip and waist girth, weight and overall fitness (functional capacity) were measured at the start and end of the study. Most people (89%) finished the full 12-week program. The results: researchers found no changes in any of the measures among the nonwalkers. In both walking groups, however, systolic blood pressure and waist and hip girth fell significantly, while overall fitness increased.