Contributions of Medications, Physical and Hydrotherapy Programs in Reducing Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients.

: Hypertension is in first place in Europe among cardiovascular diseases. Worldwide, only 1 in 5 adults pursue proper treatment that controls their high blood pressure. Endothelial dysfunction is a marker that indicates the progression of hypertension. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of antihypertensives and physical and hydrotherapy cardiovascular rehabilitation programs to control hypertension and improve endothelial dysfunction. : A total of 100 patients with hypertension degree 1 (46 years ± 0.32) were divided into four homogenic groups. All subjects of the A, B, C and D groups benefited from recommendations for a healthy lifestyle; groups B, C and D also received antihypertensive medication; additionally, group C had a physical cardiovascular program and group D a cardiovascular hydrotherapy program. Several clinical endothelial damage markers and blood and urine parameters were registered, along with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, before and after 8 weeks of rehabilitation. : Group A registered a statistically significant decrease for 1 parameter LDL ( = 0.002). Group B showed statistically significant values for 14 parameters ( ≤ 0.05). The C and D groups registered significantly improved statistic values for 17 parameters each ( ≤ 0.0001). : Groups B, C and D that were given antihypertensive medication during rehabilitation registered improved endothelial dysfunctional markers and controlled blood pressure values, compared with group A which was given only recommendations for a healthy lifestyle.