Exercise and hypertension.

The cardiovascular response to dynamic exercise is generally normal in patients with mild hypertension, but the response to isometric exercise may be increased, with a greater degree of vasoconstriction. The exercise-induced rise of pressure is affected little by most antihypertensive medications; with beta blockers, the response to dynamic exercise may be diminished, but to isometric exercise it may be enhanced. There is increasing evidence that regular dynamic exercise may attenuate the development of hypertension and lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. For patients with mild, uncomplicated hypertension, the benefits of exercise appear to out-weigh the risks.