Is relaxation exercise therapy effective in the management of patients with severe arterial hypertension?

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a burning problem in the world. Antihypertensive pharmacological therapy combined by physical exercises is well-studied in patients with mild and moderate AH. However, studies that have investigated relaxation in patients with severe AH in addition to drug therapy are lacking. Optimization of a comprehensive treatment for patients with severe AH, by using a multicomponent rational antihypertensive pharmacotherapy (PT) with subsequent application of relaxation exercise therapy (RET). The study involved 32 male patients with severe AH. Initially, clinical-instrumental and laboratory examination, blood pressure registration and daily arterial blood pressure monitoring were carried out. Suitable PT was selected for all the patients. 3 months after starting PT the patients were divided in 2 groups. The patients of the 1st group were prescribed RET in addition to PT. The 2nd group of patients continued receiving PT alone. 3 months later, average daily blood pressure (ADBP)-syst and ADBP-diast were compared in both groups. Three months after PT both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in ADBP-syst and ADBP diast, but these indicators remained higher than normal and did not reach the target level. Three months after the inclusion of RET in the comprehensive treatment, the 1st group demonstrated a significant decrease in ADBP (systolic and diastolic), not only in comparison with the initial data, but also with the data observed three months after PT. After 6 months, ADBP-syst and ADBP-diast in the 1st group were significantly lower compared with those of patients in the 2nd group. The inclusion of RET in addition to a multicomponent antihypertensive PT is a promising treatment option for severe AH.