Lifestyle changes might reduce cardiovascular risk due to the decrease in blood pressure (BP). However, whether combining aerobic and resistance exercises affect BP and hemodynamic parameters, as well as arterial stiffness and inflammation markers in resistant hypertensive (RHTN) patients, have not been investigated yet.

Objective: The investigators aim to evaluate the acute effects of aerobic, resistance and combined (aerobic+ resistance) exercise on the BP, hemodynamic and inflammatory parameters, as well as arterial stiffness in RHTN patients compared to mild to moderate hypertensive (HTN) and normotensive (NT) subjects. Design and Methods: This interventional, randomized, single-blind, crossover study will be conducted in 30 patients (RHTN=10, HTN=10, and NT=10) regularly followed in the Outpatient Resistant Hypertension Clinic at UNICAMP- Brazil. All the subjects will be submitted to a previous adaptation of physical activity, especially to determine the load to be implemented in each patient. Then, the modalities of physical exercises (aerobic, resistance and combined) will be randomly performed in three isolated sessions, which will consist of: a) Aerobic exercise (EA): activity on a treadmill lasting 45 minutes with intensity of 50-60% of maximum heart rate (HR) obtained from ergometer test; b) resistance exercise (RE): 4 series of 12 repetitions of resistance exercises at moderate intensity (until moderate fatigue), for 45 minutes; c) combined exercise (CE): EA (25 minutes) + ER (20 minutes), with an interval of 2 minutes between sessions totalizing 45 minutes. Body composition (plethysmography) and cardiorespiratory functional capacity (ergometry) will be determined before the physical training. In addition, the investigators will assess BP recording (by Finometer, office and ambulatory BP), arterial stiffness (by pulse wave velocity, Sphygmocor CPV system), plasma biomarkers (TNF-α, interleukins -1, -6, -10, and -17 by ELISA) in pre and post periods of each physical exercise. Results: Since the physical exercise in its different modalities provides chronic effects on BP in HTN patients, the investigators hypothesized that the isolated (aerobic and resistance) and combined exercise can acutely promote changes in BP levels in RHTN patients when compared to the participants counterparts. Secondarily, some biological mechanisms related to BP control (vascular function and cytokines production) may also be involved in these possible alterations. Conclusion: The investigators expect to define whether a physical exercise program applied to RHTN patients has medical relevance in a realistic clinical setting. These findings may guide the prescription of physical activity as an additional therapeutic approach, in order to decrease the cardiovascular risk associated to these subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• the diagnosis recommended by the AHA Statement on Resistant Hypertension (2008)
• a 6-month period clinic follow-up
• give written informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• secondary Hypertension
• pseudoresistance hypertension (poor medication adherence and white coat hypertension)
• patients with symptomatic ischemic heart disease, impaired renal function, liver disease and history of stroke, myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular diseases, heart failure
• pregnant women
• smoking
• regular physical activity
• mental or physical limitation