Overview
High blood pressure is a common medical condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. Untreated hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. Exercise is a promising tool in hypertension management. Regular participation in exercise improves vascular health, heart and lung function, and multisystem health. However, the direct evidence of the treatment effects of a brief period of exercise on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension is limited. A brief period of exercise refers to an exercise protocol that only lasts for a very short period of time, such as 5-10 minutes.
Description
The study will investigate both acute and long-term effects of a brief exercise on blood pressure. For the acute effect, participants will conduct a single bout of resistance exercise (leg press) with or without blood flow restriction technique. The blood pressure changes from pre- to post-exercise will be monitored. The long-term effect of exercise on blood pressure will be examined through a six to eight weeks home-based intervention program. Participants will conduct two forms of exercise, one is a clustered wall-sit exercise and the other is a scattered wall-sit exercise.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18-55 yrs.
- 24 hour average BP \>110/70 mmHg, but \< 160 systolic blood pressure
- Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Currently taking anti-hypertensive medication smokers and alcohol drinkers Inability to undertake exercise intervention (resistance and isometric exercise)
Current medical history of any of the following:
hyperaldosteronism Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or type 2) Heart disease Stroke or transient ischemic attack Peripheral neuropathy Aortic aneurysm and/or peripheral arterial disease If female, pregnancy or currently breast feeding Enrolled in another Clinical Trial of an Interventional Medicinal Product or Medical Device or other interventional study Medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the participant unsuitable for the study On long term warfarin Allergies to blood pressure cuff materials or ultrasound gel
Previous medication history of any of the following:
hyperaldosteronism Heart disease Stroke or transient ischemic attack Peripheral neuropathy Aortic aneurysm and/or peripheral arterial disease thromboembolism Infection within limb within 3 months On long term warfarin Allergies to blood pressure cuff materials or ultrasound gel
