Analysis of the Levels of Physical Activity in the Quality of Life of Elderly Patients With Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Changes in lifestyle are essential to promote the control of hypertension and quality of life in older adults. Objective: To verify the influence of the level of physical activity (LPA) on quality of life in hypertensive older adults. METHOD: The sample included a total of 291 hypertensive older adults, 102 men and 189 women, with a mean age of 69.7 ± 7.7 and 69.2 ± 7.2 respectively. The General Linear Model was applied to measure the interactions (LPA and sex) between active and inactive groups. RESULTS: There was a difference between active men and active women with inactive older adults of both sexes for mental status (p<.0001), as well as a difference between active men and active women with inactive older adults of both sexes for somatic manifestations (p<.0001). No differences were observed between active men and active women for any other variables. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a higher level of physical activity can lead to a better quality of life.