Exercise is the cornerstone therapy for the primary prevention, treatment, and control of hypertension, according to the recent Position Stand on Exercise and Hypertension released by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Adults with hypertension should seek to gain at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week, but they should be evaluated, treated, and monitored closely. The official ACSM pronouncement is published in the March 2004 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Hypertension is a common medical disorder associated with increased risk of disease and is the most prevalent cardiovascular condition found in recreational exercisers and athletes. Hypertension increases with age, and is higher in young men than in young women, although the reverse is true in older adults. Resting blood pressure (BP), family history, body mass index, and fitness level are known predictors of hypertension.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise is the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is available from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins at 800-638-6423. For a complete copy of the Position Stand, go to http://www.ncpad.org/678/2957/2004-05-01. To speak with a leading sports medicine expert on the topic, contact the Department of Communications and Public Information at 317-637-9200.