Exercise reduces arterial stiffness in hypertensive adults

Exercise interventions based on aerobic, combined, or isometric workout help improve pulse wave velocity (PWV) in adults with hypertension, results of a meta-analysis have shown.

The investigators searched the databases of Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science through July 2019 for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of exercise interventions lasting ≥4 weeks on PWV in hypertensive adults.

Changes from pre- to postintervention in PWV between exercise and control groups were compared using random-effect modelling. Data were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 percent confidence interval (CI).

Fourteen trials (15 interventions), involving five aerobic, two dynamic resistance, six combined, and two isometric resistance groups, met the eligibility criteria. A total of 642 participants with hypertension were included.

Exercise training resulted in a significant reduction of PWV (WMD, –0.76 m/s, 95 percent CI, –1.05 to –0.47). Analysis of moderator variables also revealed a decrease in PWV with aerobic exercise (WMD, –0.70 m/s, 95 percent CI, –1.20 to –0.19), combined exercise (WMD, –0.74 m/s, 95 percent CI, –1.41 to –0.08), and isometric resistance exercise (WMD, –0.98 m/s, 95 percent CI, –1.24 to –0.73).

Notably, no significant decrease in PWV was reported in participants undertaking dynamic resistance training (WMD, –0.58, 95 percent CI, –1.58 to 0.42).

“Arterial stiffness, namely PWV, is an emerging biomarker in the assessment of vascular health,” the investigators said.