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Category: Project

Description: Research aim To see if a wall-squat isometric exercise training programme will reduce blood pressure in people with high BP. Background to the research: High blood pressure affects more than one in four adults in England and only one in three of these successfully reduce their blood pressure through treatment. The cost of this to the NHS is high (approximately £2.1 billion per year), mainly due to care related to strokes and heart attacks. Usual treatment of high blood pressure includes changes to lifestyle such as healthy eating and exercise and/or taking medication. Isometric exercise has been shown to be better at lowering blood pressure more than other types of exercise like running with less time and effort. This study follows smaller research studies to see if a wall-squat isometric exercise (squatting with your back leaning against the wall) is good for lowering blood pressure. Results found that participants easily achieved the exercise at home. Healthcare professionals also thought it was an achievable intervention. A larger study is now needed to be confident that this isometric exercise can reduce people's blood pressure reliably. Study Design: This study has been designed with patient/public contributors and will involve 542 adults with a high blood pressure diagnosis, without any other significant health conditions. We will use a broad approach to ask people to take part, including those from underserved groups, using social media, through community groups and services and GP surgeries. All participants will receive healthy lifestyle advice. Half the participants will be randomly allocated to do the isometric exercise and half with be a control group, offered the exercise at the end. The exercise plan involves completing three wall-squat sessions per week for six months. All participants will record their blood pressure and other lifestyle information at four-weeks, three-months and six-months.