title: Evaluation and treatment of hypertension in active individuals.
abstract: Hypertension is a very common vascular disease. It is seen in adolescents, obese persons, postmenopausal women, and the elderly. A nonpharmacologic approach to treatment is a critical first step in management. The modalities include a diet low in salt and saturated fat, exercise, less than 2 ounces of alcohol daily, and abstinence from smoking. Dynamic (aerobic) exercise is effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) only if performed regularly. Weight reduction by diet must be combined with exercise if there is to be a reduction in BP. Strength training is not to be considered as an alternative to aerobic training for reducing BP. Antihypertensive mediation can be added to nonpharmacologic interventions for additional BP reduction. Beta-blockade is not a contraindication to exercise training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orbach
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lowenthal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D017698:Postmenopause; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents