CLINICAL STUDY: HYPERTENSION
Blood pressure reductions with exercise and sodium restriction in postmenopausal women with elevated systolic pressure: role of arterial stiffness
Douglas R. Seals, PhD*  ,
Hirofumi Tanaka, PhD*,
Christopher M. Clevenger, PhD*,
Kevin D. Monahan, PhD*,
Mary Jo Reiling, MS*,
William R. Hiatt, MD  ,
Kevin P. Davy, PhD and
Christopher A. DeSouza, PhD*
* Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
The Colorado Prevention Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Manuscript received November 21, 2000;
revised manuscript received April 3, 2001,
accepted April 11, 2001.
Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Douglas R. Seals, Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, Campus Box 354, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
seals{at}spot.colorado.edu
OBJECTIVES
This study determined the relative efficacy of aerobic exercise (daily walking) and moderate dietary sodium restriction (sodium intake <100 mmol/day) for reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) in postmenopausal women with elevated initial levels, and the potential role of reductions in large artery stiffness in these changes.
BACKGROUND
Lifestyle behaviors are recommended for lowering blood pressure (BP) in adults with elevated baseline levels, but there is little information as to the relative efficacy of different interventions or the mechanisms underlying their potential beneficial effects.
METHODS
After baseline measurements and random assignment, 35 nonmedicated healthy postmenopausal women with SBP between 130 and 159 mm Hg completed three months of either aerobic (walking) exercise (n = 18; 62 ± 9 years, mean ± SD) or moderate dietary sodium restriction (SR) (n = 17; 65 ± 10 years, mean ± SD).
RESULTS
Body mass and composition, plasma volume, and fasting concentrations of metabolic coronary risk factors did not differ between the groups at baseline or change with intervention. Systolic BP and PP at rest decreased with both exercise and SR (p < 0.05); however, the reductions were three- to fourfold greater with SR (p < 0.05). Sodium restriction, but not exercise, also reduced 24-h SBP and PP (p < 0.05). Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid augmentation index were reduced only with SR (p < 0.05). Changes in SBP and PP at rest and over 24 h correlated with the corresponding changes in aortic PWV (r = 0.53 to 0.61, p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Moderate SR lowers SBP and PP in postmenopausal women with elevated baseline levels more than does daily walking. The greater blood pressure reductions with SR may be mediated in part by a decrease in the stiffness of the large elastic arteries.
|
Abbreviations and Acronyms
| | AI | = augmentation index | | BMI | = body mass index | | BP | = blood pressure | | CVD | = cardiovascular disease | | DBP | = diastolic blood pressure | | EX | = aerobic exercise | | MAP | = mean arterial blood pressure | | PP | = pulse pressure | | PWV | = pulse wave velocity | | SBP | = systolic blood pressure | | SR | = dietary sodium restriction |
|
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
L. A. Lesniewski, M. L. Connell, J. R. Durrant, B. J. Folian, M. C. Anderson, A. J. Donato, and D. R. Seals
B6D2F1 Mice Are a Suitable Model of Oxidative Stress-Mediated Impaired Endothelium-Dependent Dilation With Aging
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci,
February 10, 2009;
(2009)
gln049v1.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. R. Seals, C. A. DeSouza, A. J. Donato, and H. Tanaka
Habitual exercise and arterial aging
J Appl Physiol,
October 1, 2008;
105(4):
1323 - 1332.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Shimizu and K. Kario
Review: Role of the augmentation index in hypertension
Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease,
February 1, 2008;
2(1):
25 - 35.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Mersich, P. Studinger, Z. Lenard, K. Kadar, and M. Kollai
Transposition of Great Arteries Is Associated With Increased Carotid Artery Stiffness
Hypertension,
June 1, 2006;
47(6):
1197 - 1202.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J. Zieman, V. Melenovsky, and D. A. Kass
Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Therapy of Arterial Stiffness
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.,
May 1, 2005;
25(5):
932 - 943.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. E. Gates, H. Tanaka, W. R. Hiatt, and D. R. Seals
Dietary Sodium Restriction Rapidly Improves Large Elastic Artery Compliance in Older Adults With Systolic Hypertension
Hypertension,
July 1, 2004;
44(1):
35 - 41.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. P. Davy and J. E. Hall
Obesity and hypertension: two epidemics or one?
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol,
May 1, 2004;
286(5):
R803 - R813.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Sierksma, C. E.I. Lebrun, Y. T. van der Schouw, D. E. Grobbee, S. W.J. Lamberts, H. F.J. Hendriks, and M. L. Bots
Alcohol Consumption in Relation to Aortic Stiffness and Aortic Wave Reflections: A Cross-Sectional Study in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.,
February 1, 2004;
24(2):
342 - 348.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. R. Greenfield, K. Samaras, L. V. Campbell, A. B. Jenkins, P. J. Kelly, T. D. Spector, and C. S. Hayward
Physical activity reduces genetic susceptibility to increased central systolic pressure augmentation: a study of female twins
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
July 16, 2003;
42(2):
264 - 270.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. T Smith, G. L Hoetzer, J. J Greiner, B. L Stauffer, and C. A DeSouza
Effects of ageing and regular aerobic exercise on endothelial fibrinolytic capacity in humans
J. Physiol.,
January 1, 2003;
546(1):
289 - 298.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
