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Effects of beta-blockade and exercise on cardiovascular and cognitive functioning
D J Madden1, J A Blumenthal, L G Ekelund
1Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|May 1, 1988
Summary
This study found that aerobic exercise training significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake in men with mild essential hypertension, regardless of whether they were taking beta-blockers like propranolol or atenolol. Exercise also reduced resting heart rate independently of medication.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mild essential hypertension affects a significant portion of the adult male population.
- Beta-blocking medications such as propranolol and atenolol are commonly prescribed for hypertension.
- The role of aerobic exercise in conjunction with beta-blockers for improving cardiovascular health requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of beta-blocker medication and aerobic exercise training on physiological and behavioral parameters in men with mild essential hypertension.
- To determine if exercise training enhances the blood pressure-lowering effects of beta-blockers.
- To assess the impact of beta-blockers and exercise on maximal oxygen uptake and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 24 men with mild essential hypertension.
- Participants were assigned to receive propranolol, atenolol, or a placebo for 12 weeks.
- Physiological and behavioral data were collected at four time points, including baseline, during medication, during medication with exercise, and during exercise without medication.
Main Results:
- Maximal oxygen uptake significantly increased with aerobic exercise training between medication and exercise phases, irrespective of drug group.
- Resting heart rate decreased due to both beta-blocker medication and exercise training, with the exercise effect being independent of the drug.
- Blood pressure reductions achieved with beta-blockers were not further enhanced by exercise training, although blood pressure remained lower than baseline after medication withdrawal.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic exercise training effectively improves cardiorespiratory fitness in hypertensive men, even when taking beta-blockers.
- Exercise training provides cardiovascular benefits independent of beta-blocker therapy.
- While beta-blockers lower blood pressure, concurrent exercise does not add to this effect, but sustained lower blood pressure is observed post-medication.