Exercise in hypertensive children and adolescents: any harm done?
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Updated: Oct 26, 2026

Structured Exercise Regimen in Pulmonary Hypertension-Right Ventricular Failure in an Ovine Model
Published on: May 5, 2026
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Clinical Research Center, University of Tennessee, 777 Washington Avenue, Suite 215, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
Abstract:
Hypertensive children and adolescents are frequently arbitrarily excluded from sports or exercise because of the fear of possible complications, such as stroke or myocardial infarction. No hypertensive children have had exercise-related morbidity or mortality in the reviewed literature. No restriction from dynamic exercise seems warranted; training has led to reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive youth. Isometric exercise is more hotly debated. Because no complications of exercise have been reported, the author prefers to allow participation if no target organ damage is present. Life-long maintenance of habitual physical activity may help prevent adult-onset essential hypertension.
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