Physical exercise is one of the main techniques used for hypertensive patients because it reduces blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular risk factors, reducing morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of exercise on BP in elderly hypertensive patients, based on the findings of empirical research conducted from 2000 to 2010. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of experimental studies in English, Portuguese and Spanish, in the electronic databases MEDLINE, PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane, and PEDro, published between 2000 and 2010 using the keywords hypertension, physical activity, exercise and the elderly, aerobic exercise, resistance training. RESULTS: We found 19 articles and selected 12, divided in thematic categories: aerobic exercise (6 articles) Resistance exercise (4), aerobic exercise associated with resistance (2). Among the aerobic exercise, three articles showed a reduction in SBP and DBP. Three articles argued that resistance training significantly reduces SBP and MBP at rest, and just one article reported a significant reduction in DBP and resting HR. The use of aerobic exercise associated with resistance was superior to others, as they showed significant reductions in SBP, DBP, MAP and HR at rest, confirming the recommendations of the Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension, but studies in the elderly are scarce. CONCLUSION: This review confirms the benefits of exercise in reducing blood pressure after exercise in elderly hypertensive patients.
Hypertension; Elderly; Exercise; Aerobic exercise; Resistance training
