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Many forms of exercise lower blood pressure (BP) in patients with prehypertension or hypertension (). This network meta-analysis, which incorporated data from 6700 participants in 105 randomized, controlled trials, addressed which type of exercise — and how much of it — best reduces BP.
In trials lasting at least 4 weeks, each of the following exercise modalities reduced average systolic BP by ~10 mm Hg: combined training (aerobic and resistance), high-intensity interval training, yoga, tai chi, aerobic exercise, resistance training, and isometric resistance training.
Reductions were greater among patients with higher baseline BPs.
When analyzed by weekly exercise volume, BP reductions became statistically significant…