Immediate blood pressure-lowering effects of aerobic exercise among patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Aim: The current study was designed to determine the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on blood pressure responses within the laboratory for 60 min post exercise and in the subsequent 24 h period in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects with stages 2-4 chronic kidney disease (age = 54.5 +/- 15.2 years, body mass index = 32.0 +/- 5.9 kg/m(2)) on antihypertensive medication completed this study. In random counterbalanced order, subjects were asked to either walk for 40 min at 50-60% VO(2peak) (oxygen consumption) or, on a separate day, to sit quietly in the laboratory for the same length of time. Following exercise or the non-exercise period, blood pressure was taken at 10 min intervals for 60 min. Subjects then wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for the next 24 h.

Results: Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was reduced by 6.5 +/- 10.8 compared with the pre-exercise baseline value (130.3 +/- 21.1) in the laboratory after exercise and this was greater than after the control period (0.73 +/- 10.3, P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) was reduced following exercise (2.5 +/- 6.4) compared with the control period (2.1 +/- 4.9, P < 0.05). The mean 24 h readings did not differ between exercise or non-exercise days.

Conclusion: Acute aerobic exercise leads to reduced blood pressure for at least 60 min within the laboratory in chronic kidney disease patients.