Can postexercise hypotension also be observed in African and Asian populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Published in: Journal of human hypertension 2023-12, Vol.37 (12), p.1076-1085
• Main Authors: Bersaoui, M., Bisai, A., Baldew, S. M., Toelsie, J., Goessler, K., Cornelissen, V. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 631/443; 692/499; Acute effects; Aerobics; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular diseases; Clinical trials; Epidemiology; Exercise; Health Administration; Hypertension; Hypotension; Isometric; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Meta-analysis; Minority & ethnic groups; Physical fitness; Public Health; Review Article; Risk factors; Statistical analysis; White people
• ISSN: 1476-5527; 0950-9240; 1476-5527
• DOI: 10.1038/s41371-023-00844-8

Worldwide, raised blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is the global leading risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, with the highest prevalence found in Asian and African origin populations. Post-exercise hypotension (PEH), defined as a sustained reduction in BP after a single bout of exercise is an important physiological phenomenon in BP management. However, little is known about the hypotensive effect of a single bout of exercise in non-Caucasian populations. We systematically summarized the acute effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on BP in a population of African or Asian origin. We searched the MEDLINE database identifying randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on BP in African or Asian populations with optimal BP, high normal BP or hypertension published in a peer reviewed journal up to August 2021. A subsequent meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models fitted to estimate effect sizes. We identified 10 aerobic exercise trials performed in individuals of Asian origin ( n  = 136; mean age: 29.51 (21.2–69) years: 78% male; baseline systolic BP/diastolic BP: 118.9 ± 9.64/68.9 ± 2.69 mmHg) and 11 aerobic exercise trials involving individuals of African origin (n = 157; mean age: 41.05 (29.9–49) years; 59% male; baseline systolic BP/diastolic BP: 134.5 ± 8.65 mmHg/82.2 ± 3.24 mmHg). Non-significant reductions in office systolic BP and diastolic BP at 30 min post exercise (−2.25 [−6.38, 1.88] mmHg, p  = 0.28/−1.02 [−2.51, 0.47] mmHg, p  = 0.18) and 60 min post exercise (−2.80 [−7.90, 2.28], p  = 0.27/−1.95, [−5.66, 1.75], p  = 0.3) were observed compared to the control intervention. No statistically significant differences were found between both ethnic groups ( p  > 0.05). Ambulatory BP was reported only in a few African groups. No effect was found on 24h-systolic BP post exercise, but 24h-diastolic BP was statistically significantly reduced (−1.89 [−3.47, −0.31] mmHg, p