Does cardiorespiratory fitness improve survival in patients with resistant hypertension?

This study investigated the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on survival in high-risk patients with resistant hypertension.

They found that patients with greater cardiorespiratory fitness had a greater survival rate compared to those with lower fitness levels.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is important for general health and well-being. It can also reduce blood pressure in patients with mild and resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension occurs when high blood pressure cannot be controlled even with the use of multiple medications.

Studies suggest resistant hypertension is improved by increasing CRF. Certain groups may be at high-risk of mortality (death) as a result of inadequate treatment for resistant hypertension. It is not clear whether CRF may improve mortality rates in patients with resistant hypertension.

This study investigated if increasing CRF in male patients with resistant hypertension improved the survival rate.

1276 men were with resistant hypertension were included in this study. CRF was measured and patients were divided into groups based on age and age-based exercise capacity. Patients were then sub-divided into categories depending on their metabolic equivalents (MET). This is a measure of the energy required to perform an exercise. Patients were followed for an average of 9.5 years.

Exercise capacity (the ability to exercise) was a predictor of mortality. Low exercise capacity increased the mortality risk. The more energy that was required for a given exercise, the greater the reduction in mortality risk (18% per MET point). Patients in the high-fit category had a 62% reduced risk of death. Of those that died during the study, 11% were in the high-fit group versus 34% in the low-fit group. 

This study concluded that patients with greater cardiorespiratory fitness had a greater survival rate compared to those with lower fitness levels.

This study included only male African American veterans. The results may not be applicable to other ethnicities or females. 

If you have any concerns regarding resistant hypertension treatment, please discuss with your physician.