The Cardiovascular Effects of Upper- Limb Aerobic Exercise in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Aerobic exercise is broadly recommended as a helpful adjunct to obtain blood pressure control in hypertension. Several hypertensive patients, however, are limited by musculoskeletal complaints or vascular occlusive disease from lower-limb exercise such as jogging or cycling. In the present randomized-controlled study, we evaluate whether an aerobic arm-cycling program provides a measurable cardiovascular benefit. Methods: Twenty-four probands were randomly assigned to sedentary activity or a heart rate controlled 12 week exercise program, consisting of arm-cycling at target lactate concentrations of 2.0 ± 0.5 mmol/l. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery. Augmentation index and large/small artery compliance (C1 and C2) were measured by computerized pulse-wave analysis of the radial artery. Results: The exercise program led to a significant reduction in systolic (134.0 ± 20.0 to 127.0 ± 16.4 mmHg; P =0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (73.0 ± 21.6 to 67.1 ± 8.2 mmHg; P U 0.02) accompanied by a significant improvement in C2 (3.5 ± 1.6 to 4.8 ± 2.0 ml/mmHg T 100; P =0.004). Flow-mediated dilation, augmentation index, and C2 were not significantly affected (P >0.05). Physical performance as derived from lactate and heart rate curves of lower-limb stress tests was unchanged, whereas maximal workload in an upper-limb ergometry significantly increased (P =0.005). Blood pressure and vascular parameters remained unchanged in the control group. Conclusion: Regular arm aerobic exercise leads to a marked reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and an improvement in small artery compliance. Arm-cycling is a reasonable option for hypertensive patients who want to support blood pressure control by sports despite having coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, or intermittent claudication. J Hypertens 26:1336 – 1342 © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.