Physical activity and quality of life in patients with hypertension

Introduction : The level of physical activity or rather its absence is one of the main risk factors for hypertension. This leads to obesity, which in turn results in increased cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis and further deterioration of biomedical parameters. Blood pressure increase resulting from insufficient activity and unhealthy lifestyle, experiencing its consequences, nuisance of symptoms and inconvenience of therapy generate many problems in everyday life and worsen patients’ well-being. This condition significantly impacts subjective perception of health and quality of life.

Aim of the study : The purpose of this study was to investigate: the type of physical and recreational activities preferred by patients with hypertension, the quality of life in patients with arterial hypertension, the impact of physical activity on the quality of life in patients with arterial hypertension.

Material and methods: The studied group of patients with diagnosed arterial hypertension comprised 185 patients, including 104 women and 81 men aged from 21 to 84. The average age in the studied group was 55.6 ?14.2. Data were collected with use of a diagnostic survey. The Questionnaire of Quality of Life in Patients with Arterial Hypertension and the Questionnaire of History and Physical Activity Assessment applied were designed by the authors. The study was performed in departments, wards and outpatient clinics at hospitals in Bydgoszcz. The research was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, at the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz (decision no. KB/44/2008).

Results : The analysis of results showed that a quarter of patients (24.8%) with arterial hypertension are not physically active and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Only 34% of respondents declared they are physically active. The preferred form of activity were walks (39.2%), followed by cycling (21%) and work in the garden (20%). Less than a quarter of respondents suffering from hypertension (24.3%) carry out their activity regularly. Only 19% of the studied patients spend their weekends away from home, while nearly half of them (49.7%) stay at home. Results of the study allowed us also to determine the quality of life of patients with arterial hypertension. It was 0.58; while the maximal possible value was 1.0. Significantly higher quality of life was observed in patients with hypertension who were physically active (0.21) as compared to a group declaring a sedentary lifestyle (0.04).

Conclusions : Patients with diagnosed arterial hypertension lead a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity significantly worsens daily functions and quality of life in patients with hypertension. The quality of life in patients with hypertension depends on the performed physical activity, the type and regularity of exercise.