The Role of Exercise Training in the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension

The Role of Exercise Training in the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension

The main purpose of this study is to assess whether exercise training reduces ambulatory blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. To accomplish these goals 60 patients with resistant hypertension will be recruited and randomized into exercise training or control groups and followed up for 6 months. The patients in the exercise group will participate in a 3-month outpatient program. The control group will receive usual medical care. At baseline, after the intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention both groups will undergo several evaluations, including casual and ambulatory blood pressure, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, quality of life, arterial stiffness, autonomic function, and endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers.

Inclusion Criteria: confirmed resistant hypertension, who in the previous 3 months had unchanged medication

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with secondary hypertension
2. Evidence of target organ damage
3. Patients with heart failure
4. Previous cardiovascular event
5. Peripheral artery disease
6. Renal failure
7. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
8. Systolic office blood pressure superior to 180 mmHg
9. Biomechanical limitations to physical activity
10. Those participating in regular physical activity