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Stability and change of volume and intensity of physical activity as predictors of hypertension

Unit for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland, miika.hernelahti{at}helsinki.fi

Urho M. Kujala

Unit for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland

Jaakko Kaprio

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

Aims: Controversy exists concerning intensity of physical activity and risk of hypertension. Also, the association between long-term changes in physical activity and hypertension is poorly known. Therefore we investigated how the stability and change of volume and intensity of physical activity are associated with the risk of hypertension in Finnish men and women. Methods: A total of 3,931 men and 4,381 women responded to three questionnaires on health and lifestyle. Baseline data were gathered from two questionnaires, in 1975 and 1981. The subjects were 24 - 51 years of age, healthy, and non-hypertensive at baseline (1981). At the end of the follow-up, in 1990, the subjects responded to a third questionnaire, according to which we assessed the cumulative incidence of hypertension between 1982 and 1990. Results: The cumulative incidence of hypertension from 1982 to 1990 was 10.2% in men and 8.0% in women. In men, the risk of hypertension was higher among those who were persistently not participating in vigorous physical activity (i.e. in both 1975 and 1981) (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 2.24; p=0.006) than among those persistently participating, when all confounding factors were adjusted for. Among those participating in vigorous activity only in 1975 or in 1981 the risk was not significantly increased compared with those participating persistently. Volume of physical activity was not associated with hypertension. In women, there was no association between physical activity and incidence of hypertension. Conclusions: Compared with inactivity, persistent vigorous physical activity predicts a low risk of hypertension in men.

Key Words: exercise • epidemiology • genetics • hypertension • lifestyle • risk factors.

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