Effect of interval training programme on pulse pressure in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Pulse pressure (PP), might be a stronger determinants of cardiovascular risk. Objective: To investigate the effect of interval training program on PP in subjects with hypertension. Methods: Two hundred and forty five male patients with mild to moderate (Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP] between 140- 179 Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP] between 90-109 mmHg) essential hypertension were age-matched and grouped into exercise and control groups. The exercise (work: rest ratio of 1:1) groups involved in an 8-weeks interval training programs of between 45-60 minutes, at intensities of 60-79% of HR max (maximum heart rate), while the control group remained sedentary during this period. SBP, DBP, VO2max and PP were assessed. Results: Findings of the study revealed significant correlation between PP and blood pressure; correlation of PP with SBP was much stronger (95% variance). Also, there was significant effect of the exercise training program on SBP, DBP and PP. Changes in VO2max also negatively correlated with changes in PP (r= -.285) at p 0.05. Conclusion: Moderate intensity interval training programs is effective in the non-pharmacological management of hypertension and may prevent cardiovascular event through the down regulation of PP in hypertension.