Hypertension Rehabilitation Exercise Guidelines: Scientific Intensity and Long-Term Adherence for Blood Pressure Control

In cardiac rehabilitation, sufficient exercise intensity is often emphasized to achieve better training effects. However, the intensity of exercise in hypertension rehabilitation tends to be moderate. Studies show that increasing exercise intensity does not necessarily lead to improved blood pressure reduction. Increasing the frequency of exercise per week, and exceeding 70% of one's exercise capacity, will only place a significant burden on the body without increasing the blood pressure-lowering effect of the training. The blood pressure-lowering effect of low-intensity exercise may even surpass that of high-intensity exercise.

The internationally accepted method is: for patients with mild hypertension, moderate-intensity rhythmic exercise of the lower limbs, such as walking or cycling for 50-60 minutes per session, 3-4 times a week, has a better blood pressure-lowering effect than strenuous exercise. For patients with moderate to severe hypertension, exercise therapy should be used as an adjunct to drug therapy. When performing resistance training, the exercise intensity should be 40%-50% of the maximum capacity, with 8-15 repetitions per set within 10-30 seconds, 10-15 sets per cycle, with 15-30 seconds of rest between sets, and 2-3 cycles per training session (20-25 minutes), 3 times a week.

It is particularly important to emphasize that exercise training for hypertensive patients must be maintained long-term. Studies show that once hypertensive patients stop rehabilitation treatment, the reduced blood pressure can return to its original level within one month. Therefore, hypertensive patients, especially those with mild to moderate hypertension, should continue training within their personal tolerance and should not interrupt it arbitrarily.

The treatment plan will inevitably vary. That is, there is no single fixed model for treating hypertension, but only the following basic principles:
(1) Control blood pressure to an appropriate level, eliminate the various discomforts caused by hypertension, and ensure the patient's quality of life.
(2) Minimize damage to important organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys caused by hypertension, and reverse existing damage. Studies have shown that after antihypertensive treatment, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in hypertensive patients are significantly reduced, and treating existing complications can significantly prolong the patient's life.
(3) While treating hypertension, prevent other risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and obesity. (4) Treatment plans should be as simple as possible and easily accepted by patients.
(5) Adhere to the principle of individualized treatment, adjusting the treatment plan according to the specific circumstances of different patients. This applies to both drug and non-drug therapies.
(6) Promote early treatment for existing illnesses and early prevention for potential illnesses, emphasizing close cooperation between doctors and patients.