Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Graft Viability Assessment Through Quantitative Metrics and Innovative Reservoir Systems
Published on: August 2, 2024
The possibility that long-term isometric handgrip exercise contributes to left atrial enlargement in patients with
Yuta Kemi1,2,3, Satoshi Hoshide2, Eiji Yamashita2,3
1Ueno-mura Clinic, Ueno, Japan.
Abstract:
Hypertension guidelines recommend isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) as a non-pharmacological treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IHG is safe for hypertensive patients. The participants were mostly middle-aged to elderly patients with hypertension. Participants wore a pedometer for 4 weeks and were then divided into two groups: Those who had taken at least 7000 steps per day were placed in an IHG-only group (n = 11), and those who took fewer steps were placed in an IHG + walking group (n = 4). Both groups then performed IHG for 12 weeks. No significant blood pressure reduction occurred from before to after intervention in either group. In the IHG-only group, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was significantly higher and left atrial (LA) volume (24.6 ± 9.1 to 36.4 ± 17.9 mL, P = .007) was significantly larger after intervention than before. Long-term IHG may induce both LA enlargement and increased BNP in hypertensive patients.
More Related Videos
08:10Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
12:45Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology