Non-pharmacological control of blood pressure and physical fitness in subjects with arterial hypertension

In a group of 60 men and 17 women aged 54 +/- 9 yrs. suffering from mild and moderate arterial hypertension (i.e. 90 greater than DBP less than 120 mmHg), a five-week non-pharmacological intervention programme in spa led to a reduction in body weight by 5 kg, an increase in maximum tolerated workload by 4 W, a decrease in blood pressure at rest by 12/6 mmHg on average, and a decrease in heart rate during exercise and in the recovery phase. The training effect persisted in a certain degree for a long time (i.e. 14 months on average after spa treatment). The reduction in weight, heart rate and systolic blood pressure at rest persisted as well. The therapy resulted in a decrease in minute ventilation and there was no increase in aerobic capacity. No change in the number of pathological ECG changes at rest and during exercise was observed during spa treatment. The regimen and training measures enable to reduce pharmacological therapy in 60% of originally treated hypertensives. This kind of spa treatment constitutes a model of a rational lifestyle for persons with arterial hypertension.