While most guidelines defined arterial hypertension when office blood pressure(BP) ≥140/90 mmHg, epidemiological and observational studies showed that cardiovascular risk increases progressively from blood pressure levels as low as 115/75 mmHg and that prehypertension is likely to progress to hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise training is thought to be the cornerstone therapy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. From a previous clinical trial, a 12-week aerobic exercise program reduced 24-hour and daytime ambulatory blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. Aerobic exercise and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet have been also recommended in subjects with prehypertension without a clear randomized, controlled clinical trial. The present trial, thus, seeks to evaluate the effect of dietary management and active aerobic exercise training, preferably moderate-intensity exercise, on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure.
This is a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded clinical trial investigating the effect of dietary management and active aerobic exercise training on reduction of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in subjects with prehypertension.