Hypertension accounts for more cardiovascular disease related deaths than any other modifiable risk factor. While exercise training can be effective at reducing blood pressure in some individuals, many people do not respond to exercise training, and many more are unwilling to undergo regular exercise training. Alternative options need to be explored. This is a clinical trial to determine whether 30 sessions of heat therapy in the form of hot water immersion is better than 30 sessions of traditional aerobic exercise training on blood pressure reduction in people with elevated blood pressure (hypertension). The investigators will evaluate known biomarkers of cardiovascular health. It is hypothesized that heat therapy will be superior to exercise training on blood pressure reduction.
This is a clinical trial to determine whether 30 sessions of heat therapy in the form of hot water immersion is better than 30 sessions of traditional aerobic exercise training on blood pressure reduction in people with elevated or Stage 1 hypertension.