effect of isometric exercise on the blood pressure of treated hypertensive patients

ABSTRACT

The effect of isometric exercise on the blood pressure [BP] of 337 hypertensive Patients on different drug regimens was studied by a new, simple method; keeping a straight leg raised. Patients were divided into 5 groups a-methyl dopa. B-receptor blockers, diuretics, combined medical treatment and no drug treatment, groups. In addition, 30 healthy individuals were studied as a control group. The systolic and the diastolic BP increased significantly during the test in all patients and controls. There were no significant differences in the diastolic pressure increments among all the groups. The systolic pressure rise, however, was significantly greater in the untreated compared to the treated patients and the controls. Our method of Keeping one leg raised seems adequate in bringing the BP response to isometric exercise. This response was not abolished by any drug used in this study