Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
05:51
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
17.7K
Updated Blood Pressure Guidelines: Implications for Athletes
Wesley Ghasem1, Christiane Abouzeid1, Brett G Toresdahl2
1Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Current Hypertension Reports
|July 5, 2022
Summary
Hypertension prevalence in athletes is unclear, but updated guidelines reveal over a third of collegiate and professional athletes now meet criteria. Early intervention is crucial as athletes are susceptible to cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Hypertension prevalence in athletes is difficult to ascertain due to measurement inconsistencies, with reported rates varying widely (0-83%).
- Recent updates to blood pressure guidelines have significantly increased the number of athletes meeting criteria for elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension.
- American-style football players, especially linemen, exhibit the highest hypertension rates, often linked to higher BMI and body fat percentage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence of hypertension in competitive athletes.
- To examine the short- and long-term impact of exercise on blood pressure.
- To outline the evaluation and treatment strategies for hypertension in this population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on hypertension prevalence, exercise effects on blood pressure, and clinical guidelines for athletes.
- Analysis of recent blood pressure guideline changes and their impact on athlete classification.
- Examination of risk factors and long-term outcomes associated with hypertension in athletes.
Main Results:
- Over one-third of collegiate and professional athletes now meet updated hypertension criteria.
- No evidence suggests long-term sports participation directly causes hypertension; traditional risk factors are often present.
- Athletes with hypertension frequently present with elevated body mass index and body fat percentages.
Conclusions:
- Updated blood pressure guidelines present an opportunity for early hypertension detection and intervention in athletes.
- Athletes are not immune to cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, necessitating proactive health management.
- Further research may clarify the precise relationship between specific sports and hypertension risk.
Keywords:
Athlete’s heartExercise physiologyExercise-induced cardiac remodelingHypertensionSupplementsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
624
Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the...
624
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
815
When assessing blood pressure (BP), healthcare professionals must consider various factors and potential unexpected outcomes to ensure accurate readings and provide proper patient care. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to achieving the most reliable results.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
815
01:25Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
960
Blood pressure monitoring is a crucial clinical procedure in diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions. Despite its significance, the accuracy of blood pressure measurements can be compromised by multiple factors, potentially leading to either falsely high or low readings. These inaccuracies are critical as they can significantly impact patient care. So, it is vital to understand these challenges deeply and adopt strategic approaches to minimize errors.
Several factors...
Several factors...
960
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
3.8K
Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Physiological Factors:
3.8K
01:28Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
35
Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
35
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
3.0K
Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
3.0K