Generally silent, arterial hypertension is the most common chronic disease in France. As its name suggests, it is characterized by too high blood pressure, opening the door to many cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or neurodegenerative complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.).
In the management of hypertension, lifestyle plays a very important role. A balanced diet and the fact of not smoking of course. But not only. Sport is also important.
Proof of this is with a Finnish study that lasted more than 30 years. It all started between 1984 and 1989. Scientists recruited more than 2,000 men aged 42 to 61. From then on, regular measurements of blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness, that is to say the maximum oxygen consumption during an effort, were carried out. This allowed the scientists to divide the participants into four groups:
– Those with normal blood pressure and high physical fitness;
– Those with normal blood pressure and low physical fitness;
– Those with high blood pressure but in good physical condition;
– And those suffering from hypertension with low physical fitness.
“Good physical condition does not eliminate the risk of mortality… but it does reduce it”
During follow-up – which lasted until 2018 – 644 deaths from cardiovascular disease were recorded. Not surprisingly, men with high blood pressure who did not exercise had a risk of cardiovascular death more than doubled compared to those in the first group.
As for participants with hypertension but with higher levels of fitness, they were indeed at cardiovascular risk. But significantly lower than that of their sedentary counterparts.
According to the authors, “good physical condition does not eliminate the increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in men with high blood pressure… but it does reduce it. Controlling blood pressure should remain a goal in people with high levels. And this thanks to regular physical activity. »
To be in good shape, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends practicing “at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity endurance activity or 75 minutes of sustained-intensity activity” during the week. Ten to twenty minutes a day, it’s not even the sea to drink! And simple gestures can make the difference: on your way to work, get off a station before your stop, park your car less close to your place of work or your home, use the stairs rather than the elevator, at the office, get up you and walk regularly…
Source : European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
