Occupational Physical Activity and Hypertension: A Narrative Review

To summarize the prospective and experimental evidence examining occupational physical activity (OPA) and hypertension-related outcomes, discuss potential physiological mechanisms, and identify methodological challenges contributing to heterogeneity across studies.

Prospective evidence linking OPA with hypertension and resting blood pressure remains limited and inconsistent, with studies reporting predominantly null or modestly inverse associations. Some evidence suggests very high OPA may be unfavorable in specific subgroups, particularly when combined with low recovery or high cardiovascular strain. Experimental and ambulatory monitoring studies indicate that some forms of OPA may produce higher ambulatory cardiovascular load, and impaired autonomic recovery despite limited impacts on resting clinic blood pressure. In contrast, leisure-time physical activity consistently demonstrates antihypertensive benefits. OPA and leisure-time physical activity may not have equivalent cardiovascular impacts. Future research should prioritize improved exposure assessment, ambulatory cardiovascular monitoring, and mechanistic study designs.