Impact of physical exercise on blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients: A review of recent studies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i8.49426

Keywords:

Physical exercise, Hypertension, Blood pressure.

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a chronic disease with high global prevalence and a significant negative impact on public health. Regular physical exercise has been recommended as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for blood pressure control. Objective: To evaluate the influence of physical activity on blood pressure levels in individuals diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension through a literature review. Methods: A search was conducted in the PubMed, Scielo, and LILACS databases, selecting articles published in the last five years that addressed the relationship between physical exercise and hypertension. Ten studies were included, covering various types of physical activity such as aerobic exercise, resistance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and functional training. Results: The studies indicated that regular physical exercise, especially when performed for periods longer than 10 weeks, leads to significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Improvements were also observed in blood pressure variability, cardiovascular function, and overall health of hypertensive patients. Combined modalities and positive attitudes toward physical activity enhance these effects. Conclusion: Physical activity is a safe and effective intervention for lowering blood pressure in patients with systemic arterial hypertension and should be incorporated as a key component of the multidisciplinary treatment of this condition.

References

Alemaeyhu, A., & Teferi, G. (2023). Effectiveness of aerobic, resistance, and combined training for hypertensive patients: A randomized controlled trial. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 33(6), 1063–1074. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v33i6.17

Caminiti, G., et al. (2021). Effects of 12 weeks of aerobic versus combined aerobic plus resistance exercise training on short‑term blood pressure variability in patients with hypertension. Journal of Applied Physiology, 130(4), 1085–1092. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00910.2020

Cheng, Z., Zeng, Q., Zhu, C., Yang, G., & Zhong, L. (2024). Association between joint physical activity and sleep duration and hypertension in US adults: Cross-sectional NHANES study. Sleep Health, 10(6), 628–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2024.08.005

Correia, R. R., et al. (2023). Strength training for arterial hypertension treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 201. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26583-3

Habyarimana, J. D., Tugirumukiza, E., & Zhou, K. (2022). Educação física e esportes: Uma espinha dorsal de toda a comunidade no século XXI. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 7296. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127296

Henkin, J. S., Pinto, R. S., Machado, C. L. F., & Wilhelm, E. N. (2023). Chronic effect of resistance training on blood pressure in older adults with prehypertension and hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Experimental Gerontology, 177, 112193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2023.112193

Herawati, I., et al. (2025). Impact of combined high‑intensity bodyweight interval training and breathing exercise on cardiometabolic health in normal‑weight middle‑aged adults with hypertension. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 962. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22139-y

Herrod, P. J. J., Lund, J. N., & Phillips, B. E. (2021). Intervenções de atividade física com eficiência de tempo para reduzir a pressão arterial em idosos: Um estudo controlado randomizado. Ageing, 50(3), 980–984. https://doi.org/10.1093/envelhecimento/afaa211

IBETP. (n.d.). A história da educação física. https://ibetp.com.br/profissoes/a-historia-da-educacao-fisica/ (Acessado em 10 de julho de 2025)

Improta-Caria, A. C. (2022). Exercício físico e microRNAs: Mecanismos moleculares na hipertensão e infarto do miocárdio. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 118(6), 1147–1149. https://doi.org/10.36660/abc.20210538

Islam, F. M. A., et al. (2023). Associations of physical activity levels and attitudes toward physical activity with blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure in Bangladesh. PLOS ONE, 18(2), e0280879. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280879

Lima, J., Franzoni, L., & Monteiro, E. P. (2024). Is there a relationship between physical activity in free time and the incidence of high blood pressure? Existe relação entre atividade física no tempo livre e incidência de hipertensão arterial? Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 121(6), e20240318. https://doi.org/10.36660/abc.20240318

Lopes, S., et al. (2021). Efeito do treinamento exercício na pressão arterial ambulatorial entre pacientes com hipertensão resistente: Um ensaio clínico randomizado. JAMA Cardiology, 6(11), 1317–1323. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamacardio.2021.2735

Lu, Q., et al. (2024). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing‑guided exercise therapy in hypertensive patients: A single center study. Cardiovascular Therapy, 2024, 8476971. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8476971

McEvoy, J. W., et al. (2024). 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. European Heart Journal, 45(38), 3912–4018.https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae178 Erratum em: European Heart Journal, 46(14), 1300.

Müller, C., et al. (2024). Effects of high-intensity interval training on retinal vessel diameters and oxygen saturation in patients with hypertension: A cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial. Microvascular Research, 151, 104616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104616

Oliveira, G. H., et al. (2023). Efeitos do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade sobre a pressão arterial central: Uma revisão sistemática e metanálise. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 120(4), e20220398. https://doi.org/10.36660/abc.20220398

Pinheiro, J. K., et al. (2024). The effects of functional training on the ambulatory blood pressure and physical fitness of resistant hypertensive elderly people: A randomized clinical rehearsal with preliminary results. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081015

Pereira, A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. [free ebook]. Santa Maria. Editora da UFSM.

Souza, T. C., Matos, S. M. A., Almeida, M. D. C. C., Fonseca, M. J. M., Molina, M. D. C. B., Griep, R. H., Pitanga, C. P. S., & Pitanga, F. J. G. (2024). Leisure time physical activity and incidence of arterial hypertension in ELSA-Brasil participants. Atividade física no tempo livre e incidência de hipertensão arterial em participantes do ELSA-Brasil. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 121(6), e20230734. https://doi.org/10.36660/abc.20230734

Rother, E. T. (2007). Revisão sistemática x revisão narrativa. Acta paul. enferm. 20 (2). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002007000200001.

Zhu, Y., & Wang, Z. (2024). Association between joint physical activity and healthy dietary patterns and hypertension in US adults: Cross-sectional NHANES study. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 855. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18346-8

Published

2025-08-28

Issue

Section

Health Sciences

How to Cite

Impact of physical exercise on blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients: A review of recent studies. Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 14, n. 8, p. e7914849426, 2025. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v14i8.49426. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/rsd/article/view/49426. Acesso em: 6 dec. 2025.