EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN ACTIVE INDIVIDUALS

Hypertension is a very common vascular disease. It is seen in adolesce nts, obese persons, postmenopausal women, and the elderly. A nonpharma cologic approach to treatment is a critical first step in management. The modalities include a diet low in salt and saturated Eat, exercise, less than 2 ounces of alcohol daily, and abstinence from smoking. Dyn amic (aerobic) exercise is effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) o nly if performed regularly. Weight reduction by diet must be combined with exercise if there is to be a reduction in BP. Strength training i s not to be considered as an alternative to aerobic training for reduc ing BP. Antihypertensive mediation can be added to nonpharmacologic in terventions for additional BP reduction. Beta-blockade is not a contra indication to exercise training.