Heated water based exercise for resistant hypertension

This study examined the effects of heated water based exercise on blood pressure in resistant hypertensive patients.

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions of people, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, 10 to 30% of all patients with high blood pressure remain resistant to treatment. Patients who are unable to control their high blood pressure despite the use of at least three classes of blood pressure controlling drugs are considered resistant hypertensive patients.  
Although the beneficial effects of regular physical exercise on high blood pressure were demonstrated in previous studies, researchers speculate that heated water based exercise (such as jumping, walking and performing squats in a heated pool) may have an additional positive effect in resistant hypertensive patients.

This study evaluated the effects of heated water based exercise training on blood pressure in patients diagnosed with resistant hypertension. 32 were randomized to either maintain normal daily living activities (acting as a control group), or to a heated water based exercise training program.
The training was performed in 60 minute sessions, in a heated pool (32⁰c), three times a week for a total of 12 weeks. All patients were instructed not to perform any additional exercise during the study period.
Following analysis, a significant decrease in blood pressure was viewed in patients participating in heated water based exercise training compared to patients in the control group. An average decrease of 19.5 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 11.1 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure was noted among resistant hypertensive patients participating in the heated water based exercise training program.

This study concluded that heated water based exercise may significantly reduce blood pressure in resistant hypertensive patients.

Despite presenting significant results, this trial included only a very small number of patients in each study arm. Results should be confirmed in larger clinical trials.