Effect of Isometric Handgrip Strengthening Exercise on Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients

Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular disease, which is the main cause of death world wide. Isometric handgrip strength(HGS) exercise, a non-pharmacological lifestyle modification, has been recommended as a first-line treatment for hypertension. This study aimed to examine the effect of isometric handgrip strengthening exercise on blood pressure among hypertensive patients. Subjects: a quasi-experimental research design was conducted on sixty medicated hypertensive patients and divided attentively into two equal groups. Control group which, exposed to routine hospital care only. While study group was followed the isometric handgrip strength exercise program. Two tools were used for collecting data Tool I Patients’ Assessment Interview Schedule and Tool II International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF).Results: there was a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure between the study group with Mean ± SD (111.50±7.23 mmHg) and control group (126.16±7.32 mmHg) after 10 weeks of an exercise program with statistical significance between both groups at PV = .00. There was a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure between the study group with Mean ± SD (71.33±5.58mmHg) and control group (79.50±7.37 mmHg) with statistically significant between both groups after 10 weeks of exercise programPV = .00. Conclusion: isometric handgrip exercise significantly reduced the SBP and DBP within 10 weeks of the study duration &therefore, the prescription of isometric handgrip exercise in addition to other lifestyle modifications should be encouraged for the hypertensive patient