Walking Intervention Can Lower BP in Sedentary Older Adults
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Oct. 10, 2023 -- A lifestyle walking intervention can reduce blood pressure in sedentary older adults with hypertension, according to a study published online July 27 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease.
Elizabeth C. Lefferts, Ph.D., from Iowa State University in Ames, and colleagues conducted a 20-week, pilot e-health lifestyle walking intervention in 21 sedentary older adults with hypertension to examine the effectiveness of increasing daily steps by 3,000 steps/day for blood pressure control. The intervention was composed of two stages: Behavioral change assistance was provided during the first active phase (weeks 1 to 10) to help reach step goals, while the second self-maintenance phase included minimal assistance (weeks 11 to 20). Nineteen of the participants completed assessments at weeks 10 and 20.
The researchers found that participants significantly increased their average step count/day from 3,899 ± 2,198 at baseline to 6,512 ± 2,633 and 5,567 ± 2,587 at 10 and 20 weeks, respectively. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved after 20 weeks (137 ± 10 to 130 ± 11 mm Hg and 81 ± 6 to 77 ± 6 mm Hg, respectively). In participants with and without antihypertensive medication, the response was consistent.
"It's exciting that a simple lifestyle intervention can be just as effective as structured exercise and some medications," Lefferts said in a statement.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2023
Read this next
BMI Cutoff of 30 for Obesity May Be Too High for Middle-Aged, Older Adults
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- The optimal body mass index (BMI) cutoff point appears to be 27 kg/m2 for detecting obesity in middle-aged and older adults, according to a study presented...
Emergency Inguinal Hernia Surgery Rates Increased With Lower Country Income
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- For patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, emergency surgery rates increase from high- to low-income countries, according to a study published online...
Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels Higher in Black Than White Women
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are higher in Black than White pregnant women, supporting the use of accounting for these differences in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.