A research paper, printed in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, details the impact low activity can have on hypertension patients. Assessing 2,000 middle-aged men over nearly three decades, starting from 1989, the researchers uncovered their findings. During the long-term trial, participants provided information on their blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness.
After making adjustments for different variables, such as age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and medication, the researchers came to the following conclusions.
Firstly, hypertension patients (those who had high blood pressure) and low fitness levels were more than double at risk of death from cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, compared to healthy patients with high fitness.
The Finnish study also noted that while hypertension patients who had high fitness levels were more at risk of cardiovascular event deaths compared to healthier participants, they were less likely to suffer fatal cardiovascular events compared to the hypertension patients who did not have high fitness.
In summary, patients who have high blood pressure have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular deaths if they have a better fitness level.
The researchers noted that increasing physical activity plays a protective role on the heart.
Blood Pressure UK stated: “A lack of physical activity is linked to high blood pressure, and being more active will lower your blood pressure.
“Being active lowers your blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good shape, lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.
“If you have high blood pressure, your doctor or nurse will probably suggest that you try to become more active to lower it.”
