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There's good news about swimming, it's good for your blood pressure & vascular function. Time to get into the pool! A new study published by the American Journal of Cardiology (http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(11)03445-X/abstract) shows, in summary that while systolic decreases were statistically significant and diastolic decreases were not at the same statistical level, both decreased in the swim group.

"Perhaps, more important even, vascular compliance increased significantly as well," says Dr. Bruce Becker, Director of Aquatic Health Benefit Research at National Swimming Pool Foundation.


Here is the research article abstract:

Swimming is ideal for older adults because it includes minimum weight-bearing stress and decreased heat load. However, there is very little information available concerning the effects of regular swimming exercise on vascular risks. We determined if regular swimming exercise would decrease arterial blood pressure (BP) and improve vascular function. Forty-three otherwise healthy adults >50 years old (60 ± 2) with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and not on any medication were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of swimming exercise or attention time controls. Before the intervention period there were no significant differences in any of the variables between groups. Body mass, adiposity, and plasma concentrations of glucose and cholesterol did not change in either group throughout the intervention period. Casual systolic BP decreased significantly from 131 ± 3 to 122 ± 4 mm Hg in the swimming training group. Significant decreases in systolic BP were also observed in ambulatory (daytime) and central (carotid) BP measurements. Swimming exercise produced a 21% increase in carotid artery compliance (p <0.05). Flow-mediated dilation and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity improved after the swim training program (p <0.05). There were no significant changes in any measurements in the control group that performed gentle relaxation exercises. In conclusion, swimming exercise elicits hypotensive effects and improvements in vascular function in previously sedentary older adults.

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