Long-Term Physical Activity Effectively Reduces the Consumption of Antihypertensive Drugs: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract: Background: Although physical activity (PA) has been shown to enhance hypertension
control, the impact of exercise on the potential decrease of the use of antihypertensive medications
remains inadequately researched. Aim: The aim was to assess the impact of a two-year PA on the
medication requirements of individuals with hypertension. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted,
involving 130 participants with essential hypertension who took at least one antihypertensive medi-
cation. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG n = 65) or an experimental
group (EG n = 65) that underwent a 24-month supervised PA program based on a combination of
aerobic and resistance training. The antihypertensive drug load for each participant was determined
by adding the ratios of the prescribed daily dose (PDD) to the defined daily dose (DDD) for all
antihypertensive medications taken by the participants. The outcome measures were evaluated at 0,
6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results: A total of 76 participants completed the 24-month assessment, and
RM-ANOVA revealed a significantly lower antihypertensive drug load in the EG compared to the
CG at 18 (p < 0.017) and 24 months (p < 0.003). Conclusion: A long-term PA program can decrease the
antihypertensive drug load in older adults with essential hypertension. The trend of improvement
regarding the EG drug load intake and the trend of CG drug load increase, although not significant
over time, results in a significant difference between the groups at 18 months and an even greater
difference at 24 months. This trend certifies the protective value of PA against the aging process and
its related health risk factors