Physical performance and quality of life of hypertensive patients in an educational guidance program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Educational interventions, including increased physical activity and control of hypertension, can be effective and cost-effective strategies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an educational program on the control of blood pressure (BP), physical performance and quality of life (QOL) of hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-randomized controlled intervention study with hypertensive adults, both genders, followed up on an outpatient basis. The multiprofessional program consisted of 12 meetings with guidance on CVD and lifestyle changes. The six-minute walk test (6MWT), the QL Minnesota and International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) and BP measurements were applied. The paired Student t test or Wilcoxon and ANOVA tests were used for repeated measures. RESULTS: Twenty patients participated, 82% women, 62 ± 11 years old. There was a reduction in systolic (147.0 vs 126.0) and diastolic (85.0 vs 70.0) blood pressure, increased distance covered (458 ± 83 vs 499 ± 77 p <0.001), reduction in symptoms of fatigue (4 ± 3 vs 2 ± 3 p <0.001) and dyspnea (4 ± 2 vs 2 ± 2 p <0.05) on exertion and reference of higher PA level (sedentary 2 vs 0; irregularly active 12 vs 5; active 8 vs 11; very active 0 vs 4). Reduction in the score of all domains in QOL was significant: Physical (14.5 ± 11.7 vs 8.9 ± 9.9 p = 0.004); Emotional (8.4 ± 6.5 vs 5.3 ± 6.6 p = 0.004); Others (9.5 ± 8.5 vs 6.6 p <0.001); Total (32.5 ± 25.5 vs 19.7 ± 23.5 p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Educational programs involving increased physical activity are effective in controlling BP, increasing physical performance and improving QoL of hypertensive patients.