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Published on: September 15, 2017

Modulatory Effect of Inflammation on Blood Pressure Reduction via Therapeutic Lifestyle Change

Richard V Milani1, Carl J Lavie

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Health Center, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.

Ochsner Journal
|May 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

High C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in coronary artery disease patients may hinder blood pressure improvements from cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training (CRET). Low CRP levels are associated with better outcomes in these programs.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation and Immunology
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels indicate inflammation and are linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and events.
  • Therapeutic lifestyle changes through cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training (CRET) programs typically improve cardiovascular risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if median C-reactive protein (CRP) levels influence blood pressure changes and other cardiovascular risk factors following CRET.
  • To determine the impact of baseline CRP status on the efficacy of CRET in patients with coronary artery disease.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of CRP levels and cardiovascular risk factors in 635 coronary artery disease patients before and after a 12-week phase II CRET program.
  • Patients were categorized based on median CRP levels (high vs. low) to assess differential responses to CRET.

Main Results:

  • Both high and low CRP groups showed significant improvements in most cardiovascular risk factors post-CRET.
  • However, significant reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure were observed only in the low CRP group (-4%).
  • Younger age, low CRP levels, and low body mass index were independent predictors of improved mean arterial blood pressure post-CRET.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with high baseline CRP levels did not achieve significant blood pressure reductions after CRET.
  • Low CRP levels are associated with better blood pressure response to therapeutic lifestyle changes in cardiac rehabilitation programs for coronary artery disease patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressureexerciseinflammation

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