Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Primary Hypertension and its Relation with Leisure Time Physical Activity

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Population-based survey studied the associations between diastolic dysfunction in primary hypertension and its association with lifestyle--as one of risk factors. Exercise prevents and prolongs the degenerative changes but whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with similar effects is being studied here.

Total 301 patients of age 30-60 year old with essential hypertension were included in prospective observational study. Patients were classified according to their leisure time physical activity and subjected for echocardiography and color Doppler.

Out of 301 patients, 149 (49.66%) were sedentary during leisure time, out of which 114 (76.5%) were having diastolic dysfunction and 35 (23.5%) were normal, while 104 (34.66%) were having moderate physical activity in which 66 (63%) were normal. Twenty-nine (60%) of 48 vigorously active were found to be normal. By using Fisher's exact test p-value was < 0.05.

In this study, a sedentary lifestyle is found to be associated with a rapid decline of ventricular compliance. Physical activity in any form has definite protective role in prevention of degenerative changes occurring inside the body.